“Property Tax Scams” updates and information from Yvonne Nelson Fidelity National Home Warranty

Hello Elite Real Estate Professionals,

As promised I want to continue to provide you with Real Estate industry updates and information that will be helpful to you and your clients.

The following is a great warning with property tax links that can be shared with all Real Estate Professionals and their clients.

I want to be a source of industry related information you can count on as well as your Fidelity National Home Warranty and Disclosure Source representative.

Please continue to ask for a Fidelity National Home Warranty and Disclosure Source NHD report for all of your transactions.

 

Yvonne Nelson 

Fidelity National National Home Warranty &

Disclosure Source 

800-308-1424 ext 3518        

www.homewarranty.com

www.disclosuresource.com

 

             

 

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Property Tax Reduction Scams Spreading, California Warns
Scam targets homeowners with declining property values
February 13, 2009
       
California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. is warning consumers about a “blatant and costly scam” targeting homeowners with declining property values.

“This blatant and costly scam holds out hope to homeowners that their property taxes will be reduced if they pay hundreds of dollars to a middleman to have their property re-evaluated,” Brown said. “In point of fact, homeowners can seek relief directly from their county assessor free of charge. Homeowners should be on high alert.”

Companies are sending deceptive mailers to homeowners offering help in reducing property tax assessments, if the homeowner pays the company hundreds of dollars in fees.

The companies use official-sounding names such as “Tax Adjusters,” “Tax Readjustment” or “Tax Review” to make victims believe the company is a government agency.

Property tax reassessment is a free service provided by county tax assessors. If homeowners believe their property value has declined and they are paying too much in property taxes, the local tax assessor will review the property value for free for a possible downward assessment.

To avoid becoming a victim, homeowners should:

• Never pay money for something they did not ask for.

• Avoid a middleman; they should contact their local tax assessor’s office for property value reassessment.