Lakewood's Tax Department Warns Residents About Online Scam

LAKEWOOD, OH - Someone is masquerading as the Lakewood Tax Department on Facebook and attempting to solicit private information from local residents and business owners, the city said on Sept. 20.

The city was alerted to the scam when a local business owner called the Tax Department and reported that someone claiming to be the Area Supervisor for the Lakewood income tax department had messaged them. That person is not an employee of the city.

“We want people to know that the Lakewood Tax Department will never attempt to contact taxpayers by any means other than mail, and certainly not via Facebook,” said Patricia Chittock, the assistant finance director for the city’s Division of Municipal Income Tax.

“Taxpayers who have been or are contacted in this way are advised and encouraged to contact both the Lakewood Tax Department and the Lakewood Police Department to file a report,” Chittock said.

The person is not an employee of the city of Lakewood. The city has reported the matter to Facebook.

Image via Rick Uldricks/Patch