County officials warn taxpayers of deceiving letters soliciting payment for liens

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY – San Bernardino County tax officials announced April 7, an alert to the public of a scam involving misleading letters claiming that recipients must pay off liens recorded against them.

The county said these letters often appear official and may reference legitimate public records to deceive individuals into sending money to third-party solicitors.

“Taxpayers should always use caution when sending money to someone claiming to be a public agency, especially if they use threats or pressure tactics,” said Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector (ATC) Ensen Mason.

He goes on to say that while ATC and other government agencies send out collection letters and lien notices, be alert for bills or letters that are unusual or unfamiliar.

Precautions to take

If residents receive a letter requesting payment for a lien, the county said they should take the following precautions:

Verify the source – Any documents coming from a government entity will be on official letterhead, will reference government websites and contact information.
Check Public Official Records – Residents can review liens filed against them through the Recorder’s office at https://arc.sbcounty.gov/official-records/ or by visiting either the San Bernardino or Hesperia Recorder offices.
Beware of urgent payment demands – Scammers often use threats or deadlines to pressure victims.
Never reveal personal or financial information – The county advises not to share sensitive information with unverified sources.

“If you receive something from our office that appears suspicious, please reach out to us before making a payment,” said Mason.

Residents that require further assistance, can visit visit the Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk’s website at arc.sbcounty.gov or contact (909) 387-8306, or the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector at mytaxcollector.com or (909) 387-8308.