A company calling itself National Record Services Inc. of Illinois is fraudulently soliciting money from Essex County property owners, the register of deeds in Southern Essex County warned.

The company is sending letters to Essex County property owners asking for $69.50 in exchange for an official copy of their deed. The document is free, however, Southern Essex Register of Deeds John O’Brien said.

"This is nothing more than a consumer rip-off," said O’Brien. "This company is trying to scare people by telling them that the United States Government Federal Citizen Information Center recommends that property owners should have an official copy of their deed, and this company will provide one for $69.50. This is absolutely outrageous, and nothing more than a scheme."

According to O’Brien, in 2007, another company, called National Deeds Service, conducted a similar scheme by charging property owners $59.50.

Anyone who purchased a home after 1983 can print a copy of their deed off the register’s Web site for free. For purchased before 1983, a copy can be obtained by calling the Registry of Deeds customer service department at 978-542-1704.