Translate
The Clackamas County Assessment & Taxation Office is urging the public to be aware that online scammers are posing as county staff, demanding payment of property taxes from local business owners and residents. These targeted “phishing” attempts can potentially scam individuals out of thousands of dollars.
Reports to the county have indicated that the scammers are using email addresses that are meant to mimic the county’s actual website/email of www.clackamas.us. The county has received reports of scammers using fake email addresses from “clackanas.us,” for example.
Clackamas County would never ask for payment information over email. Taxes can be paid in our office at 150 Beavercreek Road Room #135 in Oregon City, or using the payment drop box located outside the building (the office is open Mon. – Thurs, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.), or online.
Luckily, the taxpayer who the county knows was an intended victim of a scam recognized it for what it was, and contacted the Assessment and Taxation Department directly. But scammers may continue during the next few days, as the county’s third trimester property tax payment is due next Thursday, May 15.
How to protect yourself from a phishing scam:
- Always verify the sender’s email address – Official county addresses will always end in @clackamas.us, not generic domains or close misspellings.
- If an email looks suspicious, do not click links, attachments or reply.
- When in doubt, contact the Assessment and Taxation Department directly at 503-655-8671.