Don't believe everything you see on the internet − including a video promising to lower your property taxes.
The Ohio Department of Taxation issued a warning to homeowners on Sept. 14 about a viral video
that falsely claims Congress approved tax breaks for older homeowners. The scam instructs viewers to contact their county auditor about a "Senior Homeowner Tax Review Request" or "IRS Form 1098-SR."The contact information in the video leads to scammers, not county offices, according to the department.
"This is an AI-generated video designed to trick seniors into sharing Social Security numbers, banking information or paying fees for services that do not exist," said Ohio Tax Commissioner Patricia Harris, who noted the federal government doesn't
oversee the property tax system.
As artificial intelligence becomes more sophisticated, scammers are using fake videos to spread misinformation and can mimic government officials or agency logos. The department urged Ohioans to think twice about online videos, check with local officials and never share personal information, especially via text or unknown links.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Viral video promises tax breaks for Ohio seniors. It's a scam
