St. Croix County Register of Deeds, Beth Pabst, is warning homeowners about a home warranty scam. Several St. Croix County residents as well as others across the state of Wisconsin have reported receiving a letter in the mail from “Home Warranty Direct” which has the title “County Deed Records”. In this mailer, they urge you to purchase a home warranty claiming the current home warranty “may be expiring or may have already expired.” Each letter contains the same claim, even if the homeowner has never purchased a home warranty. The letter asks for a response to the notice by a certain date and threatens that failing to respond could result in a potential loss of coverage. It is recommended these letters be ignored and discarded.
“Solicitations that use threatening language or unnecessary urgency are almost always a scam.”
- Beth Pabst – St. Croix County Register of Deeds
A home warranty is a renewable home service plan that offers discounted repair and replacement services for applicable household appliances and systems. It is not the same as homeowners’ insurance, which protects policy holders against damage to personal property or the structure during events such as fire or theft. Not everyone chooses to have a home warranty. If you are interested in purchasing a home warranty with a legitimate company, it is strongly encouraged to do thorough research and check with the Better Business Bureau for reputable companies.
Prevent Yourself from Being a Victim of Fraud
- The best way to protect yourself from insurance fraud is to research the agent and company you are considering.
- Stop before paying for anything, signing any paperwork, or providing any personal information.
- Confirm the company and agent are licensed to operate in Wisconsin. Licensing information can be found on The Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) website at oci.wi.gov, or by calling OCI at 1-800-236-8517.