Deceptive mailers threaten Ventura County residents with liens, property seizures
Local authorities are warning residents about deceptive letters threatening property owners with liens and property seizures.
Such letters have been sent to local homeowners at least since February and March, said Joey Buttitta, spokesman for the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office. The agency doesn’t have an estimate as to how many have been sent, but several recipients have called the DA’s office to report the fraud.
The department provided two redacted examples.
One letter, entitled “Intent to Levy Assets,” warns of an unpaid tax bill totaling $282,410. It purports that the state of California may seize assets and garnish wages and bank accounts.
The second is labeled as a “final demand for payment” of taxes. The fraudulent mailing claims the state will seize property if a debt of $9,001 isn’t paid.
The letters create a sense of urgency and include an 800-prefix phone number to call, the DA’s office noted in a release.
“Unsolicited materials received in the mail are often marketing materials deceptively designed to cause the property owner to become concerned and call the number listed on the mailer,” Senior Deputy DA Dominic Kardum said in a statement.
Scammers may also try to contact victims through text messages, emails and phone calls, prosecutors said.
Residents with questions about property tax status can contact the Ventura County Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office at 805-654-3744 or at helpinghand@ventura.org.
The DA’s office has specialized units that investigate fraud. Questions about possible violations of consumer protection laws can be made to 805-662-1750.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Scam letters threaten liens, asset seizures in Ventura County
