Nelah Parker has been a real estate broker for 33 years, so the notice she received about needing to order her property deed for $59.50 troubled her the moment she read it.

"They made it sound as if it was extremely official, that it was extremely important that the consumer or the homeowner have the deed in their possession," the St. Petersburg resident said. "The fact is the deed is recorded in Pinellas County."

The notice from Florida Record Retrieval Inc., a company based in Plantation, stated that "the U.S. Government Federal Citizen Information Center web site recommends that property owners should have an official or certified copy of their deed. If you don't already have this important document, you may obtain one now."

It then suggested Parker send $59.50 in the enclosed envelope or fax in an order with her credit card information.

The notice did state as a disclaimer that the company is not the only way to get a copy of the deed and that it can be obtained free or at a nominal cost.

Parker became concerned about everyday folks who might think they need to send in the money and get their deed.

Here's the truth: You don't have to pay $60 for a document you can download for free from your county Clerk of the Courts website.

Need a certified copy? It costs just $3 at the courthouse.

But Ken Burke, Pinellas County court clerk, said there are few occasions when a person would need a certified copy.

Some examples might be if a bank requests it or maybe for an estate issue.

But there aren't many reasons to spend $59.50 to get one.

Burke has seen the solicitation crop up almost every other year.

He has reported it to the state Attorney General's Office, but there's nothing the office can do.

The company is doing nothing illegal - just a bit smarmy.

"They told me there's nothing illegal about it," Burke said. "But it may not be ethical. You hate to see people getting ripped off."

I called Florida Record Retrieval's 800 number and after repeated busy signals, got a woman who said, "I will transfer you to Barry. He takes calls from the media."

I got a voice mail for a Barry Isaacson, who is listed in state corporate records as the president, secretary and director of the company. He did not return the call.

Kevin Jackson, chief investigator for the Hillsborough Consumer Protection Agency, said consumers should watch carefully for these kinds of solicitations.

In addition to deed retrieval offers, Jackson said another major solicitation is to help you find unclaimed property.

"The common thread is you can do these things on your own," Jackson said.

When Parker thought about people who just might fall for the solicitation, "that just irritated me.

"My feeling was it was taking advantage of people. I think it's scary."

Ivan Penn can be reached at ipenn@sptimes.com or (727) 892-2332. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Consumers_Edge and find the Consumer's Edge on Facebook.