Sam ** of ProperTax is collecting 50% of $3,125.17 for property tax refund I got for reduced property value for year 2008-2009 on my house. The thing is that I'm not sure if he really had anything to do with this reduction.
I'm stressed out since money is tight in this economy. Your help is greatly appreciated.
On or about July 2008, I received a postcard from ProperTax indicating that they will reduce my property taxes. They will take care of all filings and appear on my behalf. I owe nothing until they reduce my tax bill. On 10 November 2008 I signed an agreement authorizing ProperTax to act as my agent in all matters relative to assessment and to provide me a copy of the Application for Changed Assessment filed on my behalf. On 28 November 2008, I signed a similar agreement.
On or about February 2010, I received a letter from Contra Costa County that the application for a reduction in assessment before the Assessment Appeals Board was withdrawn. On or about February 2010, I called ProperTax and asked them what that meant. ProperTax indicated that they do not plan to pursue the matter. On 5 February 2010, I received a letter from the Office of Assessor for Contra Costa County informing me that part of their proactive review of properties throughout the county; more than 149,000 properties qualified and received lower property tax bills.
On or about 10 February 2010, I received a letter from the Office of Assessor for Contra Costa County that a correction in the assessed value has been changed. On or about 23 August 2010, I received a bill from ProperTax for $273.71. On or about 24 August 2010, I called several times the number provided by ProperTax for a Sam **, but was never able to get him. Many calls were placed and messages left. No return calls were ever received. On or about August 2010, I called the assessor's office and asked if the tax reduction was a result of anything ProperTax did or did not do. The assessor's office checked and indicated that the tax reduction was solely a result of their annual review.
On 14 September 2010, I wrote a letter to ProperTax informing them of my many phone calls and informing them of my discussions with the assessor's office. I sent the letter first class mail and also by certified mail. I also indicated that I did not feel that I owed them anything since the tax reduction was solely a result of the assessor's annual review. On or about 20 September 2010, I received another bill from ProperTax. On or about 21 September 2010, I again called and left messages several times to the number provided by ProperTax to no avail.
Again, no return calls were ever received. On 19 October 2010, I received another bill from ProperTax. On or about 20 October 2010, I again called and left messages several times to the number provided by ProperTax to no avail. Again, no return calls were ever received. On 25 October 2010, I sent ProperTax another letter reiterating my position. I indicated in my letter that it was obvious ProperTax did not want to resolve the issue since they did not answer any of my letters and had not returned any of many phone calls. I never received any response to any of my letter or phone calls.
On or about 1 November 2010, I received a letter from the law firm of Alexander and Associates representing the interest of ProperTax, LLC. They demanded payment be made by 31 November 2010 or legal action will commence to collect the amount owed. On or about 26 November 2010, I responded to the above letter and attached the three letters that I previously wrote to ProperTax as well as an article entitled Scam Alert: Property Tax Reassessment from the San Jose Mercury and another article entitled Property Tax Reduction Scams Spreading, California Warns from Consumer Affairs.
I indicated that I felt that further solicitation constitutes harassment since I did not feel that I owed a fee for actions not taken by ProperTax. I also indicated that I would contact the Department of Justice and the Department of Consumer Affairs. On 22 December 2010, I came across the computer article in the California Attorney General's website on Consumer Alert Property Tax Reduction Scams. The portion of the article states: "Companies using official-sounding names like Tax Review, Tax Adjusters and Tax Reassessment seek to scam homeowners who are worried about their property taxes and declining property values. They send misleading mailers that look like official government agency documents to trick you into sending them money to try to lower your property taxes. Don't be fooled. Government agencies don't charge for tax reassessment, it's free."
