Residents in Adams County are receiving bogus E-mails concerning mortgage foreclosures. These E-mails are being formatted to appear as though they are being sent by the “Adams County Assessor” (using the bogus address; no-reply@adamscounty.org ) and the contents as though it came from the Sheriff (James W. Muller, Sheriff’s Office, Gettysburg, PA).
They inform the recipient that there will be a “Schedule of Distribution” filed by the Sheriff’s Office on property they own due to unpaid property taxes. These E-mails contain the following language:
James W. Muller Sheriff’s Office, Gettysburg, PA TO ALL PARTIES IN INTEREST AND CLAIMANTS: You are notified that a schedule of distribution will be filed by the Sheriff in his office on JULY 11, 2014 and distribution will be made in accordance with said schedule, unless exceptions are filed thereto within 20 days after the filing thereof. Purchaser must settle for property on or before filing date. ALL claims to property must be filed with Sheriff before sale date. AS SOON AS THE PROPERTY IS DECLARED SOLD TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER 20% OF THE PURCHASE PRICE OR ALL OF THE COST, LEGALS CHASE PRICE OR ALL OF THE COST, WHICHEVER MAY BE THE HIGHER, SHALL BE PAID FORTHWITH TO THE SHERIFF. ESTATE NOTICE Estate of (John Doe), deceased, late of (123 No Such Street, Anytown, Adams County, Pennsylvania). Letters Testamentary on said estate having been granted to the undersigned, all persons indebted to said estate are requested to make payment, and those having claims against said estate are requested to present the same, without delay, to: (Mary Doe, Executrix, 123 No Such Street, Anytown, Adams County, Pennsylvania).
Please note, the Adams County Sheriff’s Office does not conduct its initial correspondence by E-mail or by telephone. The only E-mails involving this office would occur after a Deputy Sheriff has visited the individual and personally served them and any such E-mails would have been initiated by the Defendant in the matter, not the Sheriff’s Office.
Anyone receiving this type of e-mail should immediately contact the Adams County Sheriff’s Office at (717) 337-9828.