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More than a week ago, Attorney General Catherine Cortez-Masto warned about a scam emanating from an outfit in California that is trying to get your money for something you can have done for free.

Cortez-Masto even pointed out that the company is contacting Nevadans with a "deal" that, said Carson City Assessor Dave Dawley, is based on California -- not Nevada -- law. (See the PVT's Wednesday, Aug. 12 edition, page A7.)

And this week the letters started showing up, and we've been hearing about them almost daily.

For only $189, the letters say, something called the Property Tax Review Board will save you money based on your property's assessment.

The company lists a Las Vegas address (just a post office box, no physical location).

It all looks very impressive, with a "Notice to Nye County Property Owners" on the "2009 Property Tax Reduction Form" and the proper property ID number and address.

With a due date on one form we saw, the form handily suggests making checks payable to "Property Tax Review Board."

"Please be sure to sign. Appeal cannot be processed without your signature," it goes on.

The small print mentions local county assessors but never explicitly states that they can do exactly what the phony board can for no charge. It does, however, note that the phony board "is not endorsed or affiliated with your local assessor and they may be contacted by calling your local government."

The board "will act as your agent in all dealings with the County Assessor's Office and at all Assessment Appeals Board hearings."

But it also goes on to stress the board is not a government agency, nor has it been approved or endorsed by any government agency.

With good reason.

It's all phony, according to the state AG.

Property owner with questions about property assessments can have them answered free by their county assessor in either Nye or Esmeralda County, or for that matter, any other county in the state.

"There is no need to pay a third party a $189 fee for this information," said Cortez-Masto's office.

This bogus "Property Tax Review Board" is operating in Arizona and California as well as in Nevada, she said.

Meanwhile, the California attorney general has filed suit in San Diego, Calif., against individuals involved with this scam.

In addition, one of the partners faces 20 felony counts for criminal conduct in this whole business.

Those wishing more detailed information may call the state attorney general's Bureau of Consumer Protection at 775-684-1169.