By Pacific Coast Business Times Staff Thursday, August 21st, 2008

Ventura County residents should be wary of a spate of mailings offering to file property tax reassessments for a fee, according to a Consumer Protection Alert issued by District Attorney Gregory D. Totten on Aug. 19.

Labeled “Property Tax Reassessment” and “Property Tax Adjustment Service,” the solicitations neglect to mention that people can file their own requests with the Assessor’s Office for no charge.

The solicitations violate Section 17537.9 of the Business and Professions Code and Civil Code section 1716, according to the district attorney’s office.

For applications to reassess tax rates in Ventura County, visit http://assessor.countyofventura.org/taxsavings/declineinvalue.html.