Warning Issued on Possible Scam

The Ventura County district attorney’s office has issued an alert to homeowners who may have been targeted by a company that investigators say is misleading property owners into spending $25 on an application service.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Gregory W. Brose said a company called Property Exemption Services has falsely stated the status of some property owners’ land in advertisements mailed to potential customers.

In solicitations that went out by mail, the company offered to process applications for property-tax exemptions for a fee of $25, Brose said.

But in at least some cases, the offer wrongly stated that the homeowners had not previously filed for such exemptions, Brose said.

California law allows homeowners a $7,000 deduction in their assessed property value if the home is the property owner’s primary residence. The reduced assessed value of the home lowers the annual property tax liability.

Those who believe they have been tricked into paying the $25 service fee of the homeowner’s exemption should call the district attorney’s Consumer Mediation Section at 654-3110.