Company crosses line of tastefulness

I am writing to voice my opinion about a certain property investment company.

On Aug. 19, I received a letter from Shirley Scholten of Credence Property Investors, LLC, located in Woodinville.

My father passed away in July. I have received many condolences but none like this. The letter began with Shirley stating she was writing to offer her condolences about my recent loss. She goes on to say that she “understands” what a difficult time this can be. This is followed by her real reason for writing. Shirley says that sometimes properties must be sold in order to pay taxes, liabilities, etc., and her company is there to help me. If Shirley truly “understood” my difficult times, she never would have sent a letter. So, no thanks, Shirley. You don’t know me, my father or my family.

When I spoke to Shirley on the phone to ask how she came about knowing my father had passed, her reply was, well, that’s a matter of public record. So, what Shirley and Credence Property Investors do, is hang out at the courthouse to glean records for information that tells them who has recently passed away and who is listed as the personal representative. Then they send out their letter of “condolences.” What they do is legal, but in my opinion, it is in no way ethical. They are no better than ambulance chasers. To use a person’s time of grieving to try to make a buck is deplorable. So, Shirley Scholten and Credence Property Investors, LLC, do not clutter my mailbox with your garbage. I hope this letter alerts others to the way they choose to do business and that they too will question their tactics.

Barb Lloyd