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Scammers targeting Cuyahoga County businesses with tax threats

According to the Cuyahoga County Department of Consumer Affairs, scammers are targeting Cuyahoga County businesses with threats purporting unpaid taxes.

CLEVELAND — The Cuyahoga County Department of Consumer Affairs is warning local businesses of multiple mail scams that demand payment of alleged past-due taxes.

According to a release, scammers have been sending letters to businesses that read “Distraint Warrant.” The letters claim to be from “Cuyahoga County Tax Assessment Securities” or the “Cuyahoga County Tax Processing Unit” -- these offices do not exist. The letters purport to be warrants for unpaid taxes, with one version threatening business owners with the seizure of their wages, bank accounts, or Social Security benefits.

“We want to assure business owners these demand letters are not real and are not issued by Cuyahoga County,” Consumer Affairs Director Sheryl Harris said in a release.

Businesses that receive these letters are advised to do the following:

  • Do not call the toll-free number provided in the letter.
  • Report the scam to Consumer Affairs by calling 216-443-7226 or by emailing a copy of letter to consumeraffairs@cuyahogacounty.us
  • Remember that only scammers will request payment in retail gift cards, money wires or bitcoin. Government agencies do accept these payments.

Additionally, business owners who wish to check their tax status are able to contact the Ohio Department of Taxation at 1-800-282-1780. The Cuyahoga County Treasury Tax Services Department can also be reached at 216-443-7420.

Additional information regarding scams can be found at cuyahogacounty.us/scamsquad.

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