What are the red flags in the fake deed letter?

The return address isn't in Winston-Salem, payment goes to Tampa, Florida, and payment is requested by mail.

Who should I call about a suspicious deed letter in Forsyth County?

Call the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office at 336-727-2112, or find the Forsyth County Register of Deeds on the county's own website. Don't use the number in the letter.

Home › Scam guides › Is that Forsyth County "property records" deed letter a scam?

Is that Forsyth County "property records" deed letter a scam?

Last updated November 3, 2026 · Written by Daniel Morton, Scam, Fraud & Prevention Consultant, Winston-Salem, NC

Short answer: Yes. The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office says letters claiming to come from the "County Property Records Office" and asking Winston-Salem area residents to pay for a copy of a deed transfer are not official Forsyth County documents.

How it works

Residents have received letters that claim to come from the "County Property Records Office" and say the person owes money for a copy of a deed transfer. The letters ask for a check or credit card information mailed to a P.O. box in Florida. The Sheriff's Office checked with the county, which confirmed the letter is not an official Forsyth County document.

Red flags

The return address isn't in Winston-Salem
Payment goes to Tampa, Florida
Payment is requested by mail

What to do

Don't use the phone number or address in the letter, and don't send a check or card number.
Call the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office at 336-727-2112.
For real deed records, find the Forsyth County Register of Deeds on the county's own website.

If you already responded

If you mailed a check, call your bank right away and ask whether it can be stopped. If you sent a credit card number, call the number on the back of your card and ask about disputing the charge. Then let the Sheriff's Office and the NC Department of Justice know.

Who to call in North Carolina

Forsyth County Sheriff's Office: 336-727-2112
Forsyth County Register of Deeds
NC Department of Justice consumer hotline: 1-877-5-NO-SCAM (1-877-566-7226), or file a consumer complaint
Federal Trade Commission: ReportFraud.ftc.gov

Common questions

Is the "County Property Records Office" letter from Forsyth County?: No. The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office checked with the county, which confirmed the letter is not an official Forsyth County document.
What are the red flags in the fake deed letter?: The return address isn't in Winston-Salem, payment goes to Tampa, Florida, and payment is requested by mail.
Who should I call about a suspicious deed letter in Forsyth County?: Call the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office at 336-727-2112, or find the Forsyth County Register of Deeds on the county's own website. Don't use the number in the letter.

Sources

Take your time, and talk it over with someone you trust. There's no shame in being targeted, and reporting helps your neighbors too. This page summarizes the official warnings and news reports linked above. It's general information, not legal or financial advice.

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