Politics & Government

Scam: Assessor's Office Warns of Impostors

Solicitors are asking taxpayers to hire them to fix property value errors. Here's what you need to know.

Double-check all calls from the Cook County Assessor's Office because the contact may be a scam, a release from the office warns

People claiming to work at the assessor's office are calling residents, saying they have missing exemptions. The scammers then ask taxpayers to hire them to file Certificates of Error on their behalf. 

The certificate changes a property's assessed value for a past year, correcting the tax bill after the assessment is finalized. 

Find out what's happening in Beverly-MtGreenwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Kelley Quinn, communications director for the assessor’s office, said real employees never solicit taxpayers. Many of these so-called tax reps tell people they can get residents more money. 

"What they don't tell you is... they take 30 to 40 percent of that amount," Quinn said. "The best thing people should be doing if they're a homeowner is making sure they've been getting all the proper exemptions."

Find out what's happening in Beverly-MtGreenwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Cook County Assessor Joseph Berrios said residents do not need representation for a Certificate of Error. The forms can be downloaded from the assessor's website or call 312-443-7550 to request forms by mail. 


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