Flint Residents Targeted in Fake Tax Letter Scam, State Warns

Email, text, phone calls, social media, fake websites — just about every form of communication presents an opportunity for scammers. Now, the Michigan Department of Treasury — along with some Genesee County residents — is warning about a new tactic: fake letters designed to scare people into paying taxes they don’t actually owe.

One Flint-area business owner recently received a suspicious letter claiming he owed back taxes to the City of Flint — despite not living or operating his business within the city limits. While it’s unclear whether this particular letter is part of a scam, state officials say fraudsters have the tools to create documents that look official and convincing.

Flint-Area Business Owner Gets Suspicious Tax Letter

The business owner shared a copy of the letter with us, and we’ve redacted personal details below.

While the letter sent to the Flint-area business owner references the City of Flint and not the so-called “Tax Processing Center,” it raises similar red flags — and it’s the kind of tactic that has state officials on high alert.

Treasury Warns of Fake 'Tax Processing Center' Letters

On the state level, the Michigan Department of Treasury is warning residents about a fraudulent letter scam in which criminals are posing as tax collectors in order to steal state residents' personal information and money.

The fake letters claim to be from the “Tax Processing Center” and falsely state that the recipient owes unpaid taxes. They reference a “Docket number” and threaten legal action or wage garnishment if the recipient doesn’t respond.

You should be aware: These letters do not come from the Michigan Department of Treasury.