Police Warn Public of Phone Scam

The Baltimore County Police Department is warning the public, especially senior citizens, of a phone scam in which the caller tries to collect unpaid and delinquent taxes.

According to a news release, a number of residents have contacted Baltimore County’s Office of Budget and Finance recently to report that they received a phone call from an unknown person(s) claiming that their annual property taxes were unpaid and delinquent.

The caller then demands that additional funds be mailed to him immediately, and threatens to dispatch a sheriff to their home to collect the money. In at least one case, a senior citizen was asked for banking information (account and routing numbers).

The Baltimore County Police Department is advising residents to:

• Never give out their personal or banking information over the phone.
• Try to verify the identity of unknown callers, and if possible obtain a callback number. Remember, the phone number could be linked to a fraudulent location.
• Never mail currency or checks to an unknown business or person(s).
• Alert a close family member/friend and call police if the call appears to be suspicious.
• Call the Baltimore County Taxpayer Services Section at 410-887-2404 if they have questions about their property taxes.