The Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) is warning seniors about a viral video promoting a nonexistent federal property tax relief program.
The video claims that Congress passed a law providing “significant property tax relief for older homeowners, enabling seniors to freeze or reduce property taxes.”
The DOR says you are then asked to request a “Senior Homeowner Tax Review Request” or IRS Form 1098-SR.
There is no such federal program or form, and the contact information provided to homeowners directs them to scammers rather than a county assessor.
Wisconsin Secretary of Revenue David Casey says the video is AI-generated.
Like many others, “these videos often include official-looking logos, the seals of real government agencies, and government terminology, making it difficult to differentiate between a real video and one that is fake.”
The Department of Revenue asks anyone who feels something might be too good to be true to do some investigating before believing in something that might seem too good to be true.
Also, government tax and assessor offices will not ask for sensitive personal or financial information over the phone, via text, or through other links.
If you encounter a scam, report it to the Federal Trade Commission or the Wisconsin DATCP.
