Based on our analysis, propertyrecord.com appears to be operating a deceptive subscription service that targets consumers seeking property record information. The domain, registered on April 12, 2002, through Bluehost Inc., has generated multiple consumer complaints regarding unauthorized billing practices and misleading service offerings.
Community reports reveal a pattern of deceptive practices by propertyrecord.com. One consumer reported being "fraudulently redirected" to the site while attempting to access free property records on an official Hawaii County website, suggesting the operation may be using search engine manipulation or malicious redirects to capture traffic intended for legitimate government services. Another victim described being charged for what they believed was a one-time $0.99 property report, only to discover they had been enrolled in an ongoing monthly service with subsequent $9.95 charges. This billing pattern is characteristic of negative option billing scams that rely on unclear terms of service and automatic recurring charges.
The complaints indicate this operation specifically targets individuals researching property information, likely capitalizing on the complexity and fragmented nature of public records access across different jurisdictions. By positioning itself as a convenient alternative to navigating official government websites, propertyrecord.com appears to exploit consumers' desire for streamlined access to public information that is typically available for free through official channels.
To protect yourself from similar scams, always verify you are using official government websites when seeking public records - these typically end in .gov and do not charge fees for basic property information. If contacted by property record services, hang up immediately and do not click on suspicious links in emails or advertisements. Before providing payment information to any property research service, independently verify the company's legitimacy through Better Business Bureau searches and online reviews. If you encounter suspicious activity, report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov or to the FCC for telecommunications-related fraud. To check if a number or domain is safe, search for it online along with terms like "scam" or "complaints" and consult consumer protection websites.
This represents a moderate threat level targeting consumers seeking property information through deceptive billing practices and potential traffic manipulation. Recommended next steps include monitoring for additional complaints, investigating the redirect mechanisms reported by Hawaii consumers, and alerting relevant state consumer protection agencies about the billing practices described in the community reports.