The Lewis County Auditor’s Office on Tuesday, May 13, issued a news release asking residents of Lewis County to be on the lookout for a scam using falsified lien notices.
In the news release, Lewis County’s Chief Deputy Auditor Tom Stanton stated there have been reports of letters mailed to local landowners notifying them of “intent to seize your assets and property” and claiming that the state of Washington has filed a lien against the landowner with the Lewis County Recorder’s Office.
According to the auditor’s office, the letters are assumed to be a scam as no record of any such liens appear in the Lewis County Auditor’s Office database.
Letters ask landowners to call a number beginning with 800 to make payments, but do not specify a specific department within the state government. The auditor’s office advises Lewis County residents to avoid calling the number. Residents who receive a letter and owe money to the state should call the state directly to inquire about their status.
Residents of Lewis County who receive a letter similar to the description can use the county database to verify if any liens have been filed against them online at https://quickdocs.lewiscountywa.gov/recorder/web/.
Residents without internet or who otherwise need assistance can visit the Lewis County Auditor’s Office inside the Lewis County Courthouse during normal business hours or call 360-740-1156.
