Los Angeles County Assessor Jeffrey Prang is cautioning property owners about deed scam solicitations and misleading mailings.

Under a 2012 law, the last owner of record is mailed an official notification whenever a change to a deed or deed of trust is recorded. The notice provides the lawful owner advance notice and an opportunity to challenge changes to ownership documents.

Some residents have complained about mailed solicitations with warnings of fines and imprisonment that appear as though they originated from the assessor’s office or another government agency. The mailings ask property owners to pay fees to obtain information.

Most assessment information is available free by calling (213)974-3211 or (888)807-2111, by emailing helpdesk@assessor.lacounty.gov, or visiting portal.assessor.lacounty.gov.

Prang also encouraged property owners to report suspicious solicitations by calling (800)973-3370, or emailing help-desk@assessor.lacounty.gov.