The County Department of Consumer Affairs has received complaints from homeowners who have obtained phony letters in the mail that look like official government documents, announced officials on July 2.
County officials are calling these letters a scam and are warning consumers to be cautious. Some homeowners have received letters that appear to be from the Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector demanding money for property taxes.
The letters use wording that is identical to that of an actual County tax collection notice for the collection of unsecured property tax. The letters also refer to actual laws that govern tax collecting. However, these letters do not contain certain things the Treasurer and Tax Collector would always include, such as a date; an address line or property identification for the homeowner (such as an Assessor Identification Number or AIN or Unsecured Bill Number); and a contact telephone number for the Treasurer and Tax Collector.
These letters also substitute an individual’s name and a company name for that of the real Treasurer and Tax Collector. If you receive a letter like one of these, or another letter you believe is not from a real government agency, please contact Consumer Affairs at (800) 593-8222. Homeowners can also file a complaint on the County’s Web site at dca.lacounty.gov
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