Press Release
Contact: Holly Moon
Phone: 231.689.7230
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: April 17, 2008

Property Tax Scam Alert
Taxpayers beware! A new property tax scam has hit the State of Michigan. Holly Moon, Newaygo County Treasurer, just learned that some property owners as close as Oceana County have received letters with offers to buy properties having delinquent taxes. Some mailings include completed deeds. Do not sign a deed that you receive in the mail!
“So far, letters have been received from firms and individuals in Arizona, Hawaii and Pennsylvania,” said Mrs. Moon. “But we expect the problem may grow.” Mrs. Moon received information about this scam from County Treasurers in other Michigan counties. “Through the Michigan Association of County Treasurers, I exchange updated information on a wide variety of topics. When trouble pops up somewhere in the
State, the news spreads rapidly through our e-mail network allowing us all to benefit from another’s experience.”
The latest scam starts with a letter which states that the property owner is two or three years behind in their taxes. This may or may not be true. Then the writer offers to purchase the property and pay the delinquent taxes. The offers have been very low – as low as 10% of the property’s actual worth. But the con artist is counting on the property owners to either misunderstand or panic and sign the enclosed deed.
If you receive a letter that mentions delinquent property taxes, and it is not from the Newaygo County Treasurer, do not respond to it! Do not sign a deed that you receive in the mail. Call the Treasurer’s office at 231.689.7230 or come in during business hours, Mondays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Tuesday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The staff at the Treasurer’s office will be glad to review your property tax information with you.