Culver City Observer -

County officials are alerting the public about scammers going to residences to collect in-person property tax payments from homeowners.

Los Angeles County Tax Collector Keith Knox and County Assessor Jeffrey Prang said the property tax scam has been “perpetrated under the guise of Covid-19 building closures.”

The County Assessor’s office has received reports of people attempting to fraudulently collect property tax payments at taxpayers’ homes because of Covid-19, officials said. These individuals may have fake identification as well as the tax bill for the specific homeowner in question. These individuals reportedly claimed that the homeowner must pay their property taxes in-person because the pandemic has closed county offices to the public.

“The County of Los Angeles Treasurer and Tax Collector (TTC) does not conduct in-person visits to collect property tax payments and that any attempts to collect in-person payments are fraudulent,” said County Treasurer Keith Knox. “Should you be contacted at your home or hear about this in your neighborhood, do not make payment to the person requesting it and notify local law enforcement immediately. Be sure to provide a detailed description of the individual.”

County Assessor Prang agreed, saying that residents should not to engage with anybody seeking an in-person property tax payment.

“It’s important to be cautious with anybody making unsolicited offers,” Prang said. “Appraisers sometimes will visit homes to appraise the property, but our appraisers will never ask for tax payments. This current activity is a scam and it's important to report it to the authorities immediately.”

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the county tax offices are closed to the public and not accepting in-person payments. The TTC accepts payments online, by mail, or over the telephone. For details on available property tax payment options, visit ttc.lacounty.gov.