A viral video circulating on YouTube claims that older homeowners are entitled to a new federal property tax relief measure, but that program doesn't exist.
The Stark County Auditor's Office is advising residents not to give out personal or financial information on unverified websites.
The video used Artificial Intelligence and misleading claims to seem credible. The video instructs viewers to contact their county auditor and request a "Senior Homeowner Tax Review Request" form. No such federal law, program or form exists, according to the Auditor's Office.
Stark County Auditor Angela Kinsey said the office has received at least five inquiries each day for about a month because of the fake video. Numerous residents have also come to the office in-person to request the form.
Some residents said they found the video online, others said the link was sent to them by email by a friend or family member.
Contents of the video are 100% untrue, Kinsey said in a news release.
"There is no legitimate government form called the ‘Federal Senior Homeowner Tax Review Request.’ I urge homeowners to call our office before spending their time and money traveling here for a form that does not exist," she said. "I hate to see anyone misled or taken advantage of. If information does not come from an official government...
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