Ohio Department of Taxation Warns of Property Tax Scam
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Department of Taxation (ODT) is urgently warning homeowners about a viral online video that falsely claims there is a federal program to lower property taxes.
The video says that Congress approved a new law to give older homeowners major property tax breaks, letting seniors freeze or lower their taxes. It tells people to call their county auditor and ask for a “Senior Homeowner Tax Review Request” or “IRS Form 1098-SR.”
ODT warns that these programs and forms are fake, and the contact information in the video leads to scammers, not your real county offices.
“This is an AI-generated video designed to trick seniors into sharing Social Security numbers, banking information, or paying fees for services that do not exist,” said Ohio Tax Commissioner, Patricia Harris. “Property taxes are administered by local governments and the State of Ohio; the federal government does not determine or adjust property tax obligations.”
With the rapid growth of Artificial Intelligence (A.I.), scammers are increasingly using fake videos to spread misinformation. These videos often impersonate government officials using sophisticated technology that can mimic voices and appearances.
Many include official-looking logos, agency seals, and government terminology, making it difficult for viewers to distinguish between authentic content and fraudulent material.
Ways to Avoid Scams
The Ohio Department of Taxation encourages homeowners to follow these practices to avoid scams:
- Be careful with online videos. Scammers can use AI to make fake videos that look and sound real.
- Even if a video seems believable, take a moment to question it, especially if it promises something that sounds too good to be true.
- Don’t share personal information. Real government tax offices and county auditors will never ask for sensitive details like your Social Security Number or bank information by text, or through unknown links.
- Check with local officials. If you want to know whether a property tax relief program is real, contact your county auditor or local government directly.
For more tips on how to avoid scams, visit ODT’s Fraud Awareness page.
Media Contact
For more information, contact:
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Andrea Lannom, Public Information Officer at andrea.lannom@tax.ohio.gov.
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