SalemNews.com, Salem, MA

Local News

Discussion

The Salem News has a real-name policy for commenting. Users may sign in using the Facebook Connect tool above the comments field. Once your first comment is posted by a moderator, all future comments will post automatically. If you prefer not to use Facebook, send an e-mail with your comments user name (which must be the same as your real name), city or town, street address and daytime phone number to comments@salemnews.com. A staff member will contact you directly to confirm your identity. It may take a day or two before you can post comments. Only your user name will be public. All users are required to follow our rules for commenting, which can be found here.

comments powered by Disqus
March 5, 2009

Register warns about Homestead-form scam

By Tom Dalton

SALEM — Victoria Lord of Beverly was advised by her accountant to file a Homestead form at the Registry of Deeds to gain some added legal protection for her home.

She went to a Web site and downloaded one of the forms for $15. When she took it over to the Registry of Deeds in Shetland Park, she was told that they would have given it to her for free.

Lord is one of dozens of North Shore residents who have been "scammed," according to Register John O'Brien.

"In today's economy, charging $15 for one sheet of paper is just outrageous," Assistant Register Kevin Harvey said.

Lord said she doesn't plan to ask for her money back but hopes her story makes others aware of a free service provided by the Registry of Deeds.

Under an estate of homestead, homeowners can get up to $500,000 in protection on their principal residence.

For more information, call the Registry's customer service department at 978-542-1704 or go to www.salemdeeds.com.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Local News

North Shore News Updates on Twitter
Stories Shared on Facebook
AP Video
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium 50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Comments Tracker