RV Tax Scam?

[PandaCub]

Greetings Van's Fans:

I just received a letter in my mailbox allegedly from the San Diego County assessor asking for all kinds of info on my RV-14A. It looks pretty darn official and states it's an "Official Request for Information" due to my aircraft being "habitually situated" in San Diego, California.

The thing is, neither my RV-14A nor I have ever been to San Diego County (we're based out of Hot Springs County, Wyoming).

Anyone else here gotten something like this? Is it a phishing scam, maybe?

Regards to all,


PandaCub

[Cannon]

Maybe someone else screwed up their ads-b data when programming it, and now they’re broadcasting your N-number. Not uncommon.

[SPX]

Originally Posted by PandaCub

Greetings Van's Fans:

I just received a letter in my mailbox allegedly from the San Diego County assessor asking for all kinds of info on my RV-14A. It looks pretty darn official and states it's an "Official Request for Information" due to my aircraft being "habitually situated" in San Diego, California.

The thing is, neither my RV-14A nor I have ever been to San Diego County (we're based out of Hot Springs County, Wyoming).

Anyone else here gotten something like this? Is it a phishing scam, maybe?

Regards to all,


PandaCub

If in part, it looks like what I have attached here, it is most likely real.

[Kyle Boatright]

Originally Posted by PandaCub

Anyone else here gotten something like this? Is it a phishing scam, maybe?

Regards to all,


PandaCub

If there is a phone number associated with the letter, I'd call. Alternately, I'd respond with a blanket statement via letter. You don't want them applying a <mistaken> tax lien or something like that that would cause you heartburn down the road.

"This aircraft is registered in ______". To confirm, check the FAA's registration database at:

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInq.../NNumberResult

[SPX]

Originally Posted by Kyle Boatright

I'd respond with a blanket statement. "This aircraft is registerd in ______". To confirm, check the FAA's registration database at:

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInq.../NNumberResult

They’re aggressive and don’t really care where it’s registered. They care about where it spends time.. and for some reason, they believe the OPs airplane spends time in San Diego County.

[Marc Bourget]

California has a Public Records Act that requires the Agency to forward copies of "open" files. Closed files would be criminal matters and other areas protected by law.

Send them a letter with the header "Public Records Act Request. ('There is no "form" for the request).

The body of the letter should state both you and the aircraft are domiciled and stored outside of California. Then request all information in their possession leading to the conclusion that the aircraft is in San Diego County.

You could add a reference to the FAA data base in support of your contention on where the aircraft resides.

[mackd]

Originally Posted by Kyle Boatright

If there is a phone number associated with the letter, I'd call.

I'd encourage you to get the phone number for the San Diego County Assessor's office from a separate source than the mail you received. If it IS a phishing attempt, the number on the letter could be fake.

[jask]

I got a letter from the assessor also a few weeks ago but mine is real because I live here. They get info from multiple sources because they are money hungry. Mine listed the hangar rental so that was the source for me.

[Mike S]

Originally Posted by mackd

I'd encourage you to get the phone number for the San Diego County Assessor's office from a separate source than the mail you received. If it IS a phishing attempt, the number on the letter could be fake.

For sure do this.

[RicoB]

I never got any from the county accessors !