Buying a home is one of life’s biggest milestones! Once the keys are in your hand, it’s natural to expect a some additional paperwork as you settle in. However, some new homeowners are surprised to start receiving letters or “official notices” in the mail that look urgent, often claiming they must pay a fee for property records, deed verification, or title protection.
These letters can look convincing, they may even include your name, property address, and the name of the bank you have your mortgage with. But in most cases, they’re not from your bank, your title company, or a government agency. Instead, they’re solicitations from third-party companies trying to sell you unnecessary services.
Here’s what’s really happening, how to spot these notices, and what to do if one shows up in your mailbox.
After you buy a home, your purchase becomes a matter of public record. That means the details of the sale, including your name, property address, and sale price, are added to databases that anyone can access.
Some companies monitor these records and use them to market products or services to new homeowners. These solicitations often come in the form of letters that look like bills or government notices, claiming you need to pay for:
Copies of your property deed or title
“Record-keeping” or “property record” services
Home warranty or property insurance “activation”
Membership in property ownership registries
Title monitoring or protection programs
While the letters may look urgent or official, they are typically advertisements or offers, not requirements.
There are a few reasons these letters show up right after you buy your home:
Your purchase becomes public record.
When your deed is recorded with the county, it’s publicly available. Some businesses regularly monitor these filings and send mail to new homeowners as part of their marketing efforts.
New homeowners are prime targets.
Homeownership comes with a lot of legitimate paperwork, fees, and deadlines. Scammers and opportunistic companies count on this confusion, hoping you’ll assume their letter is part of the process and send payment.
They mimic real documents.
Many of these notices use logos, barcodes, and official-sounding names to appear authentic. Some even use phrasing like “Time Sensitive,” “Response Required,” or “Final Notice” to create a sense of urgency. Getting them in front of new-homeowners who do have plenty of legitimate documentation is key to their confusion tactics.
They rely on trust in financial institutions.
Because you recently worked with banks, lenders, and title companies, you might assume the notice is from one of them. That makes it easier for these letters to slip through your guard.
Before you send money or share personal information, take a close look at the notice. Here are a few ways to tell if it’s a legitimate request or a marketing tactic:
Check the sender.
Is it from your lender, title company, or local government office? If the name or address looks unfamiliar, that’s a red flag.
Read the fine print.
Somewhere on the letter, it may say the offer is not affiliated with any government agency or lender. That’s your cue that it’s optional marketing.
Compare with your closing documents.
Any legitimate fees you owe should have been clearly disclosed at closing. If this wasn’t part of that paperwork, it’s likely unnecessary.
Look for threatening language.
Government agencies do not threaten fines, penalties, or legal action through third-party mailers.
Contact your bank or county clerk.
If you’re unsure, reach out to your lender or local government office. They can verify whether the notice is legitimate.
If you receive an official-looking notice asking for payment or personal information:
Do not pay or respond immediately.
Take a moment to verify who sent it and what it’s for.
Contact your lender or title company.
They can confirm whether it’s connected to your mortgage or closing.
Check with your county clerk’s office.
They can tell you if any property-related fees are actually due.
Keep documentation.
Save your closing packet and any correspondence. Having records on hand can help you identify legitimate communications in the future.
At Tompkins, we take your privacy and protection seriously. We do not sell your information to third parties for marketing purposes, and any required fees related to your mortgage or property would have been clearly outlined in your closing documents.
If you ever receive a notice that seems suspicious or confusing, please contact us directly. We’re here to help you confirm what’s legitimate and ensure you’re protected from scams and unnecessary costs.
Buying a home should be exciting, not stressful. Unfortunately, some companies try to take advantage of that excitement by sending misleading mail that looks official. By understanding how and why these notices appear, and by verifying every request before you act, you can protect your wallet and your peace of mind.