Scammers are changing things up.

Now they are sending their tricks to your mailbox.

Here are 2 by-mail scams targeting Lexington County residents.

Phony government agency

The Lexington County Register of Deed’s office and Lexington County Sheriff’s Department are warning residents.

It comes via mail, pretending to be official government correspondence. Tina Guerry, the Lexington County Register of Deeds said the scam targets those with a federal lien on their property.

The letter claims the target needs to pay past due debts to the Federal Tax Authority. It threatens if you don’t pay you’ll get bank account/wage garnishment or property seizure.

How can you identify the phony mail? So far the mail says it’s from the Lexington County Public Judgment Records Division.

That department doesn’t exist.

Remember, the IRS:

• Doesn’t demand you use a specific payment method like credit/debit cards or wire transfers.

• Won’t demand immediate payment. It won’t threaten to call law enforcement of any kind if you don’t pay right away.

• Won’t ask for your card information over the phone.

According to Guerry the IRS will make in-person notifications of property seizures.

If you get one of these letters call 803-785-8168 to report it to the Lexington County Register of Deeds. You can also report it to the IRS at www.treasury.gov/tigta/contact_report_scam.shtml .

View samples of the fake letters here at https://www.lexingtonchronicle.com/node/204573 .

ID thieves impersonate Census

Lexington County residents have begun receiving real 2020 Census letters.

That means fraudulent Census letters, postcards and emails might also be on the way.

Authentic Census mailings will feature a web address with “my2020census. gov” in it.

The .gov domain is important. It identifies government-operated websites. The https:// which ap

The https:// which appears when you enter the address in your browser lets you know the site is secure.

The letter will also have a 12-digit Census ID that, when you enter it, will display your mailing address.

Remember, the Census will never ask you for personal information. Be suspicious if they ask for: Social Security numbers, bank/ credit card numbers, money/donations, or anything for a political party.

If you suspect a Census communication is fake, call 844-330-2020 to report it to the Census.