A statewide property scam is now targeting homeowners in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. This scam comes in the form of an official-looking county property tax relief that is so official looking it has scammed thousands throughout the state already. It comes through the mail offering the assistance of a property review board to help lower taxes for a fee of $189. The scam also includes a deadline date for quick processing.
Even the local newspapers are getting calls from homeowners with questions about the suspicious letter to see if anyone has any answers for them.
Some owners, but not all, already know that it is free to file a property tax appeal. So, those who do know that it is free are the ones onto the scam and questioning it. It is the ones who don't know that it is free to file a property tax appeal and it is also too late to appeal 2009 property valuations that are the ones falling for the scam, not questioning it and losing their money.
Some local residents are getting letters stating that they are eligible for savings of $500+ if they will just mail in their $189 service fee to the post office box stated in the letter, which is a Phoenix address. There was a very similar scam in California directed at residents there, but no one was ever caught.
Supervisor Johnson confirmed the letter being circulated is definitely fraudulent and a scam. For now, the county assessor's office will monitor the situation. In the meantime, I am trying to do my part by helping get word out to all homeowners to be on the lookout for a very official looking advertisement letter that claims homeowners qualify for a "property tax reduction review". This is only an attempt to scam all homeowners out of their money and nothing more.
Remember, there is no fee to file a property valuation appeal within Arizona and the 2009 appeals process has already ended, so it's too late for this year anyway.
If you think you are a victim or you receive one of these scams, you can contact the Attorney General's Office at 1-800-352-8431. You can also file a complaint online at www.azag.gov.
Realtor® Liz Miller ~ Lake Havasu City Real Estate
Search Homes for Sale in Lake Havasu City, Arizona Real Estate
Howdy there Liz
It sure is mighty fine of you, to help get the word out about these low life property scammers. Working out there in Arizona. I sure do hope they are caught.
Liz - Either I have been under a rock all these years, or we seem to be plagued by just about every breed of scam artist imaginable in this current economic crisis. Loan Modification scams, Property Tax scams, you name it, and we've seen it. It is great that you are getting this warning out.