San Diego Treasurer-Tax Collector Warns of Property Tax Scam

San Diego, CA, September 15, 2026 —

San Diego County homeowners are being warned about a deceptive scam that uses a fabricated federal IRS form to solicit personal information and payments under the guise of property tax relief. The alert comes from San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector Larry Cohen.

The scam involves the purported promotion of a federal IRS “Form 1098-SR,” which is being falsely advertised as a method to freeze or reduce property tax obligations. Officials have confirmed that no such federal form or program exists through the IRS or any other legitimate government entity.

According to the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s office, residents who receive offers or solicitations involving “Form 1098-SR” should be highly skeptical. The false premise suggests that by using this non-existent form, individuals can achieve savings on their property taxes. This is a tactic used by scammers to exploit homeowners’ desire for financial relief.

Larry Cohen emphasized the importance of due diligence when presented with any tax relief offers. Residents are strongly urged to verify the legitimacy of any such claims directly with official government sources before sharing personal data or making any financial commitments.

The Treasurer-Tax Collector’s office is advising the public to consult official county or federal government websites, or to contact government agencies directly, to confirm the existence and details of any property tax relief programs. Providing personal information, such as Social Security numbers or financial account details, to unknown parties or through unverified channels can lead to identity theft and financial fraud.

No specific details regarding the originators of the scam or the amounts of money potentially defrauded were provided in the alert. However, the warning serves as a reminder for all taxpayers to remain vigilant against fraudulent schemes, particularly those targeting property owners with promises of tax savings.

Story summarized from the original created by City News Service on www.kpbs.org, see more information here.

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