KSL INVESTIGATES

Gephardt: Salt Lake County Recorder Warns Homeowners About Unnecessary Service

Feb 18, 2020, 6:35 PM | Updated: 6:51 pm

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Property owners are showing up at the Salt Lake County Recorder’s Office by the dozens to pay off a $95 bill. But it’s not a bill — it’s a direct advertising mailer that resembles a government notice.

It includes official-sounding words like “Recorded Deed Notice,” complete with a barcode; “Property Assessment Profile,” a due date and publicly available information for specific properties: parcel number, square footage and year built.

“As your county recorder, I would never mail you a notice like this,” said Salt Lake County Recorder Rashelle Hobbs.

Salt Lake County Recorder Rashelle Hobbs said she can see why people would think the notice is from her office, although it is not.

Hobbs said her normally quiet office has been flooded in the past week with people assuming the notices came from her. The notices actually come from a California company that wants $95 for property records that you can get yourself for a few bucks.

“They are selling a service. It is misleading because it looks official and it appears that it is coming from a government agency,” Hobbs said. “It is not coming from my office.”

The notice includes a company name, property site, and its address. Google Maps, through its Street View tool, shows the address belongs to a Fresno, California, storefront that rents postal boxes. The letter also listed a phone number that we called.

A representative pointed out that there is a disclaimer on the notice that states, “This offer is not being made by an agency of the government.” When we asked how many people have responded to the letter, the representative hung up.

As for Hobbs, she said, based on the calls and walk-ins to her office, there are plenty of people in the county who think they need to pay.

“It’s not a good idea to pay them $95 for when you can get it from me for $5 to $10,” she said.

If you have a problem you can’t solve, contact Matt Gephardt. You can call 385-707-6153, email matt@ksl.com, or submit a tip online

KSL Investigates

FILE: On the same day the Utah’s Senate unanimously passed a resolution to bring an NHL franchise...

Daniella Rivera

‘You are inviting rapists to Utah’: Survivor urges lawmakers to consider consent bill

Year after year, Utah lawmakers have resisted or ignored efforts to close what experts and advocates say is a gap in the state’s sexual assault laws. The lawmaker behind those efforts hopes this year will be different.

3 days ago

West Valley City police officers preforming a welfare check at the home of Sha Reh and Bu Meh on De...

Courtney Johns

Did police miss a key opportunity in West Valley family homicide?

KSL Investigators obtained body camera footage that provides insight into how West Valley City police responded to a welfare check the night before police discovered the tragic murder-suicide inside the home. 

3 days ago

When they made Tim Vincent an offer for his, he says UDOT's appraiser made a glaring mistake - not ...

Matt Gephardt and Sloan Schrage

UDOT moves to take Orem family’s home before resolving $175K price dispute

When they made Tim Vincent an offer for his, he says UDOT's appraiser made a glaring mistake - not taking into account his automotive shop in his backyard.

4 days ago

Virginia and Bob Baird explain to KSL's Matt Gephardt how a woman at a store tricked Virginia into ...

Matt Gephardt

Utah shopper duped into buying $1,000 in baby formula in likely scam

There may be nothing which pulls the heartstrings like hearing about a baby who doesn't have anything to eat. Scammers are banking on it.

5 days ago

FILE - Utah State Capitol. (KSL TV)...

Daniella Rivera

If you’ve requested government records in Utah, the KSL Investigators want to hear from you

Whether you received exactly what you were looking for or struggled to obtain records you believe are public, if you’re a Utahn who has requested public records, the KSL Investigators want to hear about it.

5 days ago

Rehn says despite the her washer’s fifth breakdown, her extended warranty company will not pay ou...

Matt Gephardt and Sloan Schrage, KSL TV

Get Gephardt helps Washington City woman who says her warranty won’t pay out for her unrepairable washer

When a Washington City woman's extended warranty refused to cover the cost to replace her broken-down washer, she decided to Get Gephardt.

6 days ago

Sponsored Articles

luxury living room with a classic white sofa and sofa, interior design...

Lighting Design

Revisiting home lighting trends for 2025

Looking for inspiration to revamp your home lighting? This article outlines some of the emerging lighting trends for 2025.

holiday gift basket with blue tissue paper and gingerbread cookies...

Kneaders Bakery & Cafe

Holiday hacks for a stress-free season

Get more out of your time with family and loved ones over the holidays by following these tips for a stress-free season.

2 computer techs in a computer shop holding up a computer server with the "hang loose" sign...

PC Laptops

A comprehensive guide to choosing the right computer

With these tips, choosing the right computer that fits your needs and your budget will be easier than ever.

crowds of people in a German style Christmas market...

This Is The Place Heritage Park

Celebrate Christkindlmarket at This Is The Place Heritage Park!

The Christkindlmarket is an annual holiday celebration influenced by German traditions and generous giving.

Image of pretty woman walking in snowy mountains. Portrait of female wearing warm winter earmuff, r...

Lighting Design

Brighten your mood this winter with these lighting tricks

Read our lighting tips on how to brighten your mood in the winter if you are experiencing seasonal affective disorder.

A kitchen with a washer and dryer and a refrigerator...

Appliance Man

Appliance Man: a trusted name in Utah’s home appliance industry

Despite many recent closures of local appliance stores, Appliance Man remains Utah's trusted home appliance business and is here to stay.

Gephardt: Salt Lake County Recorder Warns Homeowners About Unnecessary Service