A Knox County property owner received a postcard that looked like an urgent mortgage notice and asked him to call about an “important matter” tied to his loan. The county’s Register of Deeds says the notice was bogus.
Knox County Register of Deeds Nick McBride said a resident brought the postcard to his office this week after receiving the notice in the mail, according to the Register of Deeds office.
The postcard appeared official and requested immediate attention regarding the person’s property. McBride said it could easily deceive someone who did not know about similar schemes.
The warning applies beyond Knox County because mortgage and deed mailers often use real public-record details to make a private solicitation look like something from a lender, title company, or government office.
The Postcard Asked For A Fast Call About A Mortgage
The postcard shown by KnoxTNToday said “Important Notice” and claimed a response was needed by June 26, 2026.
It told the recipient the notice was about a mortgage and said he needed to call about an important matter regarding the loan.
The phone number printed on the postcard was 833-382-7278. Fine print on the card said the information was provided by Mortgage Services Group, LLC, and that it was not affiliated with, sponsored by, or loan information provided by the named lender.
The Register Of Deeds Says The Notice Was Not Real
McBride wrote that the notice was “completely bogus” and shared the image to raise awareness across Knox County.
The Register of Deeds office handles real property records, but that does not make every mortgage-related letter sent to a homeowner official. The office records documents such as deeds, deeds of trust, releases, liens, powers of attorney, and other real-property documents, according to its website.
A homeowner who receives a sudden mailer about a deed, mortgage, loan, title, or property record can check it without using the phone number on the card. Knox County property owners can call the Register of Deeds office at 865-215-2330, and mortgage borrowers can contact their lender through the number on their monthly statement, official app, or verified website.
Knox County Has A Free Property Fraud Alert Program
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
McBride also pointed residents to Knox County’s free Fraud Alert Program.
The Knox County Register of Deeds says the program sends an email notification when a document is recorded in county records under a registered name. The county describes property fraud as someone illegally using property for financial gain, including fraudulent activity that can make it appear as if another person owns a home or property.
The alert system helps property owners monitor recorded documents under their name, which can make it easier to act quickly if something suspicious appears in official records.
Homeowners Should Verify Before Calling
Homeowners do not need to treat a postcard deadline as proof that something is wrong with their loan. Before calling back, they can compare the card with their actual mortgage statement, check the lender’s official website, or call the county office if the notice mentions a recorded deed, lien, release, or property document.
They should also avoid giving personal information, mortgage details, payment information, Social Security numbers, or login codes to a company that contacted them through an unexpected postcard.
McBride said his office is available for questions and directed residents to the Knox County Register of Deeds website at rod.knoxcounty.org.