As if you don’t get enough just plain junk in the mail, you’ve got to watch out for scams too. I have experience being ripped off by direct mail, so something I got today raised a red flag.

It was an official-looking envelope and letter with a return address (and letterhead) of Pennsylvania Ave, DC. However, the reply envelope is addressed to Northbrook, IL.

The single-page letter generously offers to send you a Certified Copy of your Property Deed for only $59.50. Wow, how gracious of them.

And sure enough. I found a bunch of references to the same rip-off, and even some recent news items about it. It seems they’re targeting Northern Hoosierville right now.

You can usually get a property deed from your local County Recorder’s office for a few bucks.