Bank of America said today it mistakenly sent nearly 5,000 Oregonians letters claiming they owe property taxes and might be risking foreclosure when they, in fact, don't.
Washington County Department of Assessment and Taxation director Rich Hobernicht estimates his office has received 1,000 calls since Monday from homeowners who received letters from BAC Tax Services Corp, an arm of the bank's BAC Home Loan Servicing division.
In Multnomah County, the bank said it sent 1,600 letters in error, according to county spokesman Shawn Cunningham.
"We sincerely apologize to those who received the letter in error," said Jumana Bauwens, a bank spokeswoman. She said the bank is in the process of notifying affected customers in 14 Oregon counties where the erroneous letters went out.
Judy Crawford of Aloha and Sharyn Rowe of Bethany said the letters indicated they were delinquent on their property taxes. Neither of them are. The letter said they had 30 days to pay the bill or the bank might do it for them and impose an escrow account to cover its costs, raising their monthly payment.
"We have always been in good standing in the 15 years we've owned our home," Crawford said. "My husband and I are truly furious."
Rowe, who happens to be a tax analyst for Clackamas County's Assessment & Taxation office, said she paid her 2010-11 property taxes in full and on time in three installments. She has now had to fax the bank a receipt of her tax payment to clear up the matter.
Washington County Department of Assessment and Taxation director Rich Hobernicht estimates his office has received 1,000 calls since Monday from homeowners who received letters from BAC Tax Services Corp, an arm of the bank's BAC Home Loan Servicing division.
In Multnomah County, the bank said it sent 1,600 letters in error, according to county spokesman Shawn Cunningham.
"We sincerely apologize to those who received the letter in error," said Jumana Bauwens, a bank spokeswoman. She said the bank is in the process of notifying affected customers in 14 Oregon counties where the erroneous letters went out.
Judy Crawford of Aloha and Sharyn Rowe of Bethany said the letters indicated they were delinquent on their property taxes. Neither of them are. The letter said they had 30 days to pay the bill or the bank might do it for them and impose an escrow account to cover its costs, raising their monthly payment.
"We have always been in good standing in the 15 years we've owned our home," Crawford said. "My husband and I are truly furious."
Rowe, who happens to be a tax analyst for Clackamas County's Assessment & Taxation office, said she paid her 2010-11 property taxes in full and on time in three installments. She has now had to fax the bank a receipt of her tax payment to clear up the matter.
No comments:
Post a Comment