Riverside County Warns Property Owners About Fake Invoice Scam

Property owners in Riverside County should take a close look at any letter requesting payment for property records, because some of those invoices are not coming from the county.

The Riverside County Assessor-Clerk-Recorder's Office says private companies are sending letters that reference recently recorded property documents and ask for payment in exchange for copies. The letters may include accurate details about your property, though that does not make them official.

"Some private companies use publicly available information to send letters requesting payment for copies of documents," said Riverside County Assessor-Clerk-Recorder Peter Aldana. "These letters are not from our office."

Here's what residents need to know: those records are already public, and the county will provide official copies directly, at no cost, through an unsolicited mailing. The county does not send unprompted payment demands for property profiles, and it does not require payment through third-party companies to access property records.

If you receive one of these letters and are unsure whether it is official, the county asks that you call before sending any money or sharing personal information.

You can reach the Riverside County Assessor-Clerk-Recorder's Office at (951) 955-6200 or visitwww.rivcoacr.org.