The Douglas County Assessor warns that a recent scam call regarding “The Homestead Program” is targeting seniors, and urges the public not to disclose personal information to unknown callers. According to a press release, the fake calls misrepresent Homestead Exemption, a program that exempts all or a portion of seniors and some veterans’ home property value from taxation.
“Recently, our office heard from a senior citizen who had received a phone call from someone representing themselves as from “the homestead program” but who did not identify himself by name, telling her that there was too much money in her savings account to qualify for homestead exemption, that she needed to transfer some money to her checking account, and asking for her bank pin number,” the press release reads.
While Douglas County Assessor/Register of Deed staff may reach out to Homestead Exemption applicants, they will not ask for bank account information and will always identify themselves as employees of the office, according to Walt Peffer. Anyone getting calls asking for their bank information should hang up immediately, he said.
If you’d like to apply for Homestead Exemption, volunteers will help with applications over the phone. You may reach them at 402-444-6617.