Beware Of Tax Scams Targeting Missoula Property Owners

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - Missoula property owners, beware of property tax fraud attempts coming to your mailbox or your phone.

I spoke with Shyra Scott, Director at the Missoula County Clerk and Treasurers Office about the scam on Thursday.

Scott said there are Multiple Tax Fraud Schemes in the Missoula Area

“We're seeing several scams occurring at the moment,” began Scott. “Some people are receiving mail scams that say that they are going to lose their property. They often list a 1-800 number or a website to go to in order to pay whatever this scam letter says to do. The other scam that we're seeing is people actually receiving phone calls saying that their taxes have not been paid, and trying to get payment information over the phone from Missoula County taxpayers.”

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Scott says the scam messages themselves contain incorrect information.

“The mail that they're receiving has an 800 number on it and that is not from Missoula County or the state of Montana," Scott said. "That's your first warning that it's probably not a legitimate piece of mail.”

Scott provided the correct contact information for the Clerk and Treasurer’s Office.

“If you go to www.missoulaclerk.us and select ‘property taxes’ and then ‘pay my taxes’, you can search for your parcel number or search by owner name or address," Scott said. "You can verify if you do actually have outstanding property taxes due, and you can actually pay online from that site as well. You can also call our office at 406-258-4747, and we can confirm whether or not you owe property taxes.”