Cass County Treasurer Hope Anderson and Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz are warning property owners about a scam targeting those who are facing property tax delinquency or foreclosure.
The two issued a joint statement this week, saying scammers are increasingly targeting vulnerable property owners with false promises of assistance, only to strip them of equity, ownership rights, or additional funds. The schemes are designed to make a profit off people struggling by contacting such individuals promising help.
Fitz and Anderson say fraudulent “tax specialists” will offer to negotiate with tax authorities for upfront fees, property investors will offer to help by purchasing property at a price far below market value, and fake government representatives will demand immediate payment via unusual methods. Also, they say common scams involve attempts to trick a property owner into signing over their deed and phony loan modification programs.
Some of these scams can result in the property owner relinquishing all rights to the property.
Anyone struggling to pay their property taxes is advised to contact their county treasurer’s office to find out about payment plans and other legitimate ways to get current. Anderson says she wants the public to know assistance is available through proper channels.
