Beshear: Tax Mail Scam Threatens Seizure of Property

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KY Office of the Attorney General Seal

COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY

OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL


 
 
 

Beshear: Tax Mail Scam Threatens Seizure of Property
Fake letter appears to be from state alleging debt must be paid over the phone

FRANKFORT, KY. (March 29, 2019) Attorney General Andy Beshear issued a Scam Alert today following a report from an employee at a Woodford County church who received a scam property tax delinquency notice in the mail.

The scam letter threatens seizure of the church property if taxes, penalty and interest totaling more than $21,000 are not paid immediately over the phone. The letter appears to be from the state of Kentucky Bureau of Tax Enforcement, an agency that does not exist, and includes an official looking seal and a phone number to call to make payment.

“With the thought of losing a property, even the savviest Kentuckian could be forced into a panic and fall victim to a property tax scam,” said Beshear. “It is important that Kentuckians contact their county or state tax official to verify any actual property tax debt before making a payment and never pay over the phone.”

Beshear said his office is working with the Woodford County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service to trace the scammer and provide Kentuckians with tips on how to avoid the scam, including:

  • Always contact your county sheriff’s office to verify any property tax delinquency before making a payment.

  • Hang up on anyone who calls you and asks for your personal or financial information over the phone.

Kathryn S. Woliung, inspector with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, said Kentuckians victimized by a fraud involving the U.S. Mail could get help by contacting their nearest Postal Inspection Service office in one of three ways:

  1. Call 1-877-876-2455 (press option “4” to report suspected mail fraud).
  2. Visit postalinspectors.uspis.gov to report suspected fraud online.
  3. Mail your queries to an address listed online.

Beshear said Kentuckians can visit the state’s website for official information on how delinquent property taxes are handled.

Beshear warned Kentuckians earlier this month about an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) scam where a fake agent calls demanding a victim’s personal and financial information and claims they owe back taxes. Once the scammer has the victim’s information, they can steal tax refunds and other funds by changing the deposit to a reloadable money card.

One Clark County resident sent $9,900 to an IRS scammer in the form of Google Play cards.

“Last year during tax season was the busiest time for staff in my office who handle scam reports,” said Beshear. “Con artists are working overtime right now to take advantage of Kentuckians’ interactions with other local, state and federal agencies.”

Beshear continues to work with state and federal partners to find innovative ways to stop scam calls – one of the critical missions of the Office of the Attorney General.

To report a scam to the Office of Attorney General, call the Consumer Protection Hotline at 888-432-9257 or visit ag.ky.gov to fill out a complaint online.

To sign up to receive Scam Alerts from Beshear’s office text the words KYOAG Scam to GOV311 (468311) or enroll online at ag.ky.gov/scams.

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Attorney General Beshear’s press releases are available on his official website at www.ag.ky.gov.