scam mailers -- state action

NEWS RICK AUERBACH

LOS ANGELES COUNTY ASSESSOR

CONTACT: ROBERT KNOWLES                                                       MAY 13, 2009

(213) 974-3101                                                               FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

ASSESSOR RICK AUERBACH SUPPORTS STATE ACTION AGAINST TAX SCAM

 

Los Angeles County Assessor Rick Auerbach today congratulated California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. on the filing of a suit against two brothers charged with involvement in a mailer scam offering lower property taxes.

 

“We’ve been warning homeowners not to get ripped off by these and other companies,” Auerbach said, “and I congratulate the prompt legal action taken by Attorney General Brown to stop these scams. I also want to thank District Attorney Steve Cooley for his interest in this matter and Assembly Member

Ted Lieu of Torrance for introducing AB 992, legislation that will help put an end to these predatory practices.”

 

The state suit was filed in San Diego County Superior Court against brothers Sean and Michael McConville and their businesses, “Property Tax Reassessment” and “Property Tax Adjustment Services.” The suit seeks an end to the scam and at least $2.5 million in civil penalties. The companies sent thousands of letters to Los Angeles County homeowners and others throughout the state requesting nearly $200 for property tax reassessment services that were almost never performed and are being done at no charge by Assessor Auerbach.

 

“It is my responsibility to make sure that no property owner pays more than their fair share of taxes,” Auerbach said. He noted that his office has proactively reviewed, at no charge, the value of nearly 500,000 homes and condos to determine if they warrant a reduction. He urged homeowners to visit the

assessor’s website at www.assessor.lacounty.gov to see if their property is included in this review and for more information about the free decline-in-value process.