Scam letter demanding tax money shared by Groveport police

GROVEPORT, Ohio (WCMH) — Groveport police are warning Ohioans to watch out for tax letters demanding payment after getting hit with the same scam at the department’s offices.

The Groveport Police Department shared on Facebook pictures of a scam letter that it had received in the mail, addressed to its building. Included in the department’s post were two pictures of the scam letters. The letter, featuring improper grammar, accused the recipient of avoiding paying their taxes. It also displayed the headline “intent to seize your assets and property” above a total amount due of $35,910.56.

A scam letter sent to Groveport police. (Courtesy Photo/Groveport Police Department)
A scam letter sent to Groveport police. (Courtesy Photo/Groveport Police Department)
A scam letter sent to Groveport police. (Courtesy Photo/Groveport Police Department)
A scam letter sent to Groveport police. (Courtesy Photo/Groveport Police Department)

“These letters can be very convincing,” the post said. “Always be wary and do proper research before writing any checks. A call to the Better Business Bureau can be very helpful.”

The scam letter was also addressed to “Wws Ohio Llc,” at the police department’s address and has no return address, a detail that could give away that it’s fake. Instead, the letter generically stated it came from a “Seizure Unit” for “Public Lien Records” and told the receiver to call a phone number to pay.

Another claim in the letter gives an additional way to check its legitimacy. The letter claims the state filed a lien with the Franklin County Recorder’s Office, which has publicly available records dating back to 1600 that anyone can check online. A quick search of the case number and “Wws Ohio Llc” didn’t return any results.

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