McDonough County, IL – Residents are being warned to stay alert after reports of a phone scam targeting people across the county with false claims about unpaid property taxes.
According to the McDonough County Treasurer’s Office, scammers have been calling residents and telling them they owe delinquent property taxes, pressuring them to make immediate payments. Officials say these calls are not legitimate and are part of an ongoing scam.
The Treasurer’s Office emphasized that it does not call residents to collect property taxes and will never demand payment over the phone. Any request for immediate payment, gift cards, wire transfers, or threats of arrest should be treated as a red flag.
Officials say the calls may sound convincing and often rely on urgency to push people into acting quickly. Some callers may claim legal action is pending or that property could be seized if payment is not made right away.
Residents who receive these calls are urged not to provide personal or financial information and not to send any form of payment. Instead, they should hang up and report the incident.
The McDonough County Treasurer’s Office is asking anyone who receives a scam call to report it by email at info@treasurer.mcdonough.il.us. Reporting helps officials track scam patterns and warn others in the community.
Authorities also recommend reminding elderly family members and neighbors, who are often targeted in tax-related scams, to be cautious and verify any tax questions directly with official county offices.
If you are unsure about your property tax status, officials say the safest option is to contact the Treasurer’s Office directly using phone numbers or websites listed on official county government pages.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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