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Urgent - Consumer Alert - News Conference to be held at 3 p.m. today, Thursday, June 23, 2005, in the Hillsborough Tax Collector’s Office on the 14^th floor of the County Center at 601 E. Kennedy Blvd. The conference will address questionable solicitation regarding delinquent taxes and home refinancing. For more information, contact Preston Trigg at 813-918-6980.

TAMPA, Fla. - (June 23, 2005) - Hillsborough County Tax Collector Doug Belden is urging residents to be wary of a direct mail solicitation in which taxpayers are urged to refinance their home to pay delinquent taxes.

The problem, said Belden, is that many of the taxes are not delinquent and in many instances, there is no need for the taxpayer to take any action.

The notices were sent to Hillsborough County taxpayers earlier this week by a mortgage company offering refinancing and loan consolidation. The letter states the taxpayer is delinquent in their property tax payments and offers a variety of financing options to pay the bill.

It is unclear how many solicitations went out, Belden said, but it appears to be a large number. The Tax Collector’s Office received 150 calls within 10 hours, Belden said.

It is not clear whether the solicitations are illegal - the case has been referred to the proper authorities - but they are misleading. One part of the solicitation uses the Tax Collector’s name and address, giving the letter an official appearance.

“I want to assure the taxpayers we are no way involved in this,” Belden said. “We do not endorse any mortgage or loan companies and we urge taxpayers to investigate closely before taking any action.”

Belden said if taxpayers are unsure whether their taxes are paid, they could look their tax bills up online at www.hillstax.org. Just click on the link that says “Property Tax Search” and follow the directions. They can also call the office at 813-635-5200.

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