Scammers target Woodford County church

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) – A Woodford County church was surprised after receiving a property tax delinquency notice in the mail.

But the Kentucky Office of the Attorney General says it’s a scam.

According to the attorney general, an employee at the church received the letter, threatening to seize church property if taxes, penalty and interest totaling more than $21,000 were not paid immediately over the phone.

The attorney general says the letter appears to be from the state of Kentucky Bureau of Tax Enforcement, an agency that does not exist, and includes an official looking seal and a phone number to call to make payment.

The attorney general advises people contact their county or state tax official to verify any actual property tax debt before making a payment and never pay over the phone.

The attorney general says his office is working with the Woodford County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service to track down those who sent the notice to the church.