Miami-Dade County homeowners warned about phony tax-relief notice

Letter asks homeowners to mail in bank statement/voided check

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Miami-Dade County property appraiser Lazaro Solis has issued a fraud alert for all homeowners in the county, after several people were sent phony tax relief letters that were printed with the property appraiser letterhead.

According to Solis, the letter titled "Property Tax Relief Notice" claims property owners are eligible for a 5 percent property tax relief if they have running home equity lines of credit.

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"In order to grant tax relief this office must verify that you still hold a running Home Equity Line of Credit," states the notice. "If this is the case, please fax us a copy of your latest Home Equity Line of Credit account statement, accompanied by a copy of a voided check from the checking account where you would like us to credit your tax refund."

The letter has the property appraiser's correct address, phone number and website, but lists an incorrect fax number.

"It is important to note that under no circumstance will the Office of the Property Appraiser ever request bank statements and/or checks from property owners," said Solis.

Anyone who believes they have been targeted by this scam is urged to call the Economic Crimes Bureau at 305-994-1000. Those who have already mailed in a bank statement and/or check should contact their bank as soon as possible.

Click here to read the full letter falsely claiming to be from the Miami-Dade Property Appraiser's Office.

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About the Author:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.