Chittoor Civic Body Warns Property Owners of Tax Scam
Chittoor Municipal Corporation warned residents against fraudsters posing as civic officials to collect property tax through digital payment apps and urged taxpayers to use only authorised payment channels
Tirupati: The Chittoor Municipal Corporation has cautioned property taxpayers against fraudsters posing as civic officials and collecting property tax and trade licence fees through digital payment platforms.
Municipal commissioner P. Narasimha Prasad said the corporation had received several complaints that unidentified persons were calling taxpayers, claiming to be municipal staff, and asking them to make payments through PhonePe, Google Pay and QR codes. The fraudsters were allegedly sharing taxpayer details to make the calls appear genuine.
The municipal commissioner clarified that corporation officials never contact residents personally to collect taxes or request payments through mobile applications.
He said most of the fraudulent calls were being made from mobile number 9440219722 and added that the corporation had already lodged a complaint with the police seeking action against those involved.
Narasimha Prasad appealed to residents not to believe such calls or transfer money to unknown persons. He advised taxpayers to pay property tax and trade licence fees only through authorised channels, including the Pura Seva Centre at the Municipal Corporation office, the CDMA website or the Administrative Secretary of the respective Swarna Ward Secretariat.
