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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
| State Rep. Mike Carroll |
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Carroll warns older residents of rebate scam
HARRISBURG, March 14 – State Rep. Mike Carroll, D-Luzerne/Monroe, is advising senior citizens to discard a solicitation offering to complete the application for the state's Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program for a $39 fee.
The scam involves a letter asking residents to fill out an enclosed Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program application and return it with a $39 fee to a Harrisburg address.
"The state does not charge a fee to enroll in the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program and if residents receive this form, they should discard it immediately," Carroll said. "This is nothing more than a shameful attempt to confuse and steal from senior citizens who are already on a limited income."
Carroll said several seniors brought to his attention a mailing from a non-government agency in Harrisburg identifying itself as the Senior Advisory Center. The company offers to fill out senior citizens' Property Tax/Rent Rebate forms, and asks for income and homeownership information, as well as a $39 processing fee.
"The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program is a state-sponsored program and seniors can receive free assistance with the forms by contacting my office, or the office of any other state legislator," Carroll said. "Seniors should be suspicious of an independent firm trying to charge a fee for the same service that is provided free through the state."
Carroll said people with questions can call his office at (570) 655-4883 in Luzerne County or (610) 681-2940 in Monroe County.
The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program provides state rebates on property taxes or rent paid in 2010 to eligible Pennsylvanians 65 or older; widows and widowers 50 or older; and people with disabilities 18 or older. The income limit is $35,000 a year for homeowners and $15,000 annually for renters, and half of Social Security, Supplemental Security or federal Railroad Retirement Tier I income is excluded.
The maximum standard rebate is $650, but supplemental rebates for qualifying homeowners can boost rebates to $975. The deadline to apply is June 30.
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