Protect Yourself From Property Tax Scams and Fraud!

April 26, 2021

We’ve noticed a recent increase in property tax scams and want to give you the tools to protect yourself!

  • What is a property tax scam?
    • Scammers will reach out, usually via phone, and pose as your local county office or the IRS, stating they never received your property taxes. They will offer to take payment over the phone, asking for card or bank account information, which they will use fraudulently in the future.
  • How do scammers get your information?
    • Since property records are public, fraudsters simply visit county websites to access each homeowners’ name, address and tax information including the tax amount owed.
  • Will your local county office call about your tax bill?
    • No, they typically only send notification by mail.
  • What to do if you’re targeted?
    • If you receive one of these calls DO NOT give out any personal information. When in doubt, hang up and call your mortgage company or county office directly. If there was truly any issue with your tax payment they can help you sort it out securely.
  • What to do if you’ve fallen victim to this scam?
    • Contact any financial institutions that you gave out your personal information about and ask them to freeze your account or cards. Depending on what information was given you may need to close your account and or cards and open new ones.
    • Report the scam to the IRS.
    • Report the property tax fraud to the police if you believe it’s a local scam.
  • Protect yourself from property tax scams and future fraud:

At Northern Credit Union, your peace of mind is our top priority. Get information on the most common fraud scams, how to best protect yourself, and what steps to take if you become a victim of identity theft by visiting our Fraud Prevention Center.

If you’re concerned about potential property tax fraud, we encourage you to: