Los Angeles County is warning homeowners — especially seniors — about a new property-tax scam making the rounds online.
County officials say scammers are promoting something called IRS “Form 1098-SR,” claiming it can freeze or reduce your property taxes.
There’s just one problem: the form doesn’t exist.
The county says there is no federal program that freezes California property taxes — which are governed by state law and administered locally.
The scam is reportedly spreading through social media, online videos and telephone solicitations, with homeowners potentially being asked for money or sensitive personal information.
There are legitimate California programs. Proposition 19 allows some homeowners 55 and older, disabled homeowners and disaster victims to transfer their taxable value when moving. There’s also a seven-thousand-dollar Homeowners’ Exemption and a property-tax postponement program for some qualifying homeowners.
Bottom line: if somebody promises to slash your property taxes using federal “Form 1098-SR” — don’t give them your Social Security number, banking information or a dime.
The form is fake.
