By Gary Corsair
Staff Writer
Clay County taxpayers are apparently being targeted by a West Coast scam artist or artists.
Official-looking letters bearing the bold header “IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED” and the subhead “Distraint Warrant” inform recipients that they have 15 days to cure a tax debt and that a lien will be placed on their property unless the debt is paid in full. Recipients of the letters, which bear a postage permit from Sacramento, Calif., are directed to call an 800 number to avoid action.
The letter purporting to be from the Clay County “Tax Resolution Unit” sounds official, but is total bogus.
Clay County Tax Collector Rehnaye Talley says her office issued no such missive. Shortly after learning of the letter, she posted a scam alert on her office’s website. Her alert said, in part, “Our office has recently been made aware of a fraudulent letter that is being sent to taxpayers in Clay County advising them that a “Distraint Warrant” has been issued against them. This letter has not been issued by the Clay County Tax Office. Do not respond or send money to anyone as a result of this letter.”
Talley says that her office recently sent second notices to taxpayers with outstanding taxes. Those notices are clearly marked with the name, address and phone number of the Clay County Tax Office, as well as the county seal.
“If you have any doubts about whether you owe county taxes, call us at (828) 389-1266 or look on this county website,” Talley said in a prepared statement. The tax collector’s web address is: www.tax.claync.us.
As of Monday afternoon, Talley was only aware of one letter being mailed to Clay County. It was sent to a local business owner. Sheriff Bobby Deese says he hasn’t received any questions about distraint warrant letters.