For Immediate Release: 6/12/2015 Montgomery County Warns Property Owners About Deceptive Letter Soliciting Payment to Reduce Property Tax Bill Montgomery County’s Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) is warning property owners not to be fooled by a deceptive letter which encourages consumers to pay $99 to petition to have their property tax assessment reviewed. This direct mail solicitation gives the false appearance that it is from a state or local government agency, provides a return address that is, in reality, a mail-drop location, and fails to disclose that there is actually no cost for property owners in Montgomery County to personally petition for a tax assessment review. Information regarding this matter has been reported to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Consumers who have provided credit card information or sent checks to this merchant may file a complaint with Montgomery County’s Office of Consumer Protection. The Maryland State Department of Assessment and Taxation provides information on its website regarding how to file a petition to have a property tax assessment reviewed. OCP, the County’s consumer protection agency, investigates thousands of complaints each year involving automotive sales and repairs, new home purchases, home improvements, credit issues, retail sales, internet services and most other consumer transactions. OCP provides pre-purchase information to consumers, as well as speakers to the community on consumer issues. For more information, call 240-777-3636 or visit OCP’s website at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/consumer. # # # Release ID: 15-237 Media Contact: Sue Tucker 240-777-6507

http://www6.montgomerycountymd.gov/apps/News/press/PR_details.asp?PrID=14958]]>