Sumner County’s Register of Deeds warns of unusual scam

GALLATIN, Tenn. (WKRN) — Sumner County’s Register of Deeds is warning residents about a letter being sent around the county that looks like a check if you don’t read the fine print. 

The registrar said she even received one herself and believed it might be real at first. 

“I’m used to seeing checks, so I noticed there was no signature,” said Holly Hemmrich, Sumner County’s Register of Deeds. “When I noticed there was no signature, I thought ‘okay wait a minute,’ and then I turned it around [it] says endorse here.” 

Neighboring counties have also reported residents receiving the same type of letter, according to Hemmrich. It is thorough and includes a number to call. 

“It comes to you like it is just a check for you to cash and it has your mortgage company listed on there, it has my lender information on here, my address, everything,” detailed Hemmrich. “If you call somebody and then they start asking you questions, and you think you’re talking to your mortgage company, you’re potentially giving a scam artist your personal information.” 

Hemmrich has been with the county deeds office for nearly two decades. She said scams that get her office involved are rare. 

She will send off any scams that she discovers, including her phony check, to the state attorney general. Thankfully, this scam check has one big tell. 

“Down below, it says ‘not affiliated with my mortgage company,’ and ‘this is not a check,’” said Hemmrich with a chuckle.  

What really has Hemmrich’s attention right now: property fraud; people trying to get your land in their name. 

She said she’s working with state legislators across Tennessee to address the problem.

“We’ve seen things in Shelby County, of course, with the Graceland property,” said Hemmrich. “They don’t want your property, they don’t want your home, they don’t want to live there. They just want it for financial gain.” 

Because of this, there now exists a free fraud-alert system for property owners. 

“Ours here in Sumner County is called MyLandAlert.com. And you can sign up for this, it will send you a notification if anything is recorded in your name, in our office,” said Hemmrich. 

Hemmrich’s advice to Sumner County residents: always read your mail carefully, and never sign a document you’re unsure of.