WARSAW — The Kosciusko County Assessor’s Office is advising residents to exercise caution regarding private solicitation mailers currently being distributed to homeowners throughout the county.

These property tax “assessment” letters appear designed to encourage homeowners to pay private companies for speculative tax appeal services, according to a news release from the Kosciusko County Assessor’s Office.

One such mailing, branded under the name Owlue, claims that a homeowner’s property in Warsaw, Indiana, is significantly over-assessed and warns that failure to act before a stated appeal deadline could result in “overpaying for another full year.”

At first glance, the document closely resembles an official government communication. It prominently references the “Kosciusko County Appeal Deadline,” includes property-specific valuation estimates, and repeatedly references the “Kosciusko County Assessor’s Office.”

Although the fine print states the mailing is “NOT a government notice,” the overall presentation may cause confusion and create unnecessary pressure for homeowners to take immediate action.

According to the solicitation, the homeowner’s assessed value was allegedly inflated by nearly $90,000, potentially resulting in approximately $1,760 in annual tax savings if an appeal is filed. The company further states it would retain 30% of any first-year tax savings generated through the appeal process.

The mailing — including its references to appeal deadlines and estimated tax savings — is not affiliated with the Kosciusko County Assessor’s Office, Kosciusko County government or any state agency.

The Assessor’s Office has received concerns from residents who believed the mailing may have been an official government notice due to:

• References to county assessment information
• Use of estimated valuation figures
• References to tax appeal deadlines
• The overall appearance and formatting of the document
The Kosciusko County Assessor’s Office reminds homeowners of the following:
• The Assessor’s Office does not endorse or partner with private companies that solicit property tax appeals through mass mailings.
• Property owners are encouraged to independently verify assessment information directly with the Assessor’s Office.
• Estimated “tax savings” presented in unsolicited mailers may not accurately reflect market values, assessment methodology, or likely appeal outcomes.
• Residents should exercise caution before scanning QR codes, sharing personal information, signing agreements, or authorizing representation by third-party companies.
While Indiana property owners do have the legal right to appeal their property assessments, residents are reminded that:
• Appeals may be filed directly through established county and state procedures.
• Official information is available through county government channels.
• Homeowners are not required to hire a third-party solicitation company to initiate an appeal.

The Assessor’s Office also encourages residents to be cautious of solicitations that:
• Imply government affiliation
• Use urgent deadlines to pressure immediate action
• Contain unverifiable claims regarding potential savings
• Lack transparent information regarding company leadership, licensing, or local operations
Residents with questions regarding their assessment, property record card, or appeal rights are encouraged to contact the Kosciusko County Assessor’s Office directly.

Kosciusko County Assessor’s Office is at 100 W. Center St., Warsaw IN 46580. Thee phone number is 574-372-2310.

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WARSAW — The Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office is alerting the public to a recent scam involving fraudulent requests for inmate bond payments.

At no time will an employee of the Sheriff’s Office contact individuals by phone to request money for bonding an inmate out of the Kosciusko County Jail.

All bond payments must be completed in person using the kiosk located in the vestibule of the Sheriff’s Office at 221 W. Main St., Warsaw.

No cash transactions or phone-based payments will be accepted by correctional staff under any circumstances.

If you receive a phone call requesting payment for an inmate bond, please hang up immediately and contact dispatch at 574-267-5667.

Residents are reminded to never provide any personal, financial, or banking information over the phone.

The post Sheriff’s office warns of scam involving inmate bond payments appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

This comes a day after the state confirmed five new cases in Allen County, which is south of Dekalb County.

Six cases have now been confirmed in Indiana in 2025.

Parents in the school district are being urged to check with their doctors to determine if their children have been vaccinated.

The post State officials say school district in Dekalb County exposed to measles appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

INDIANAPOLIS -- An Air Quality Action Day warning by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management continues Thursday across all of Indiana due to high levels of particulate and smoke traveling from the Canadian wildfires.

Hazy conditions are expected again Thursday across the state.

Currently, IDEM said high particulate readings exist in South Bend, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Muncie and Cincinnati. High particulate, or high-fine particle pollution, can irritate the lungs and cause respiratory issues.

IDEM encourages Hoosiers to reduce creating fine-particle pollution by starting fires for fire pits, barbeque or campfires.

Hoosiers are also encouraged to reduce outdoor activities to limit exposure to particulate, keep windows closed, and run air conditioning in a recirculation setting.

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WARSAW -- Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office is investigating two separate cases of ongoing fraudulent activity.

The victims in these frauds have suffered the loss of a large sum of money, according to a news release from the sheriff's office.

One scam involves grandparents in which a call or email is made to a grandparent posing as law enforcement or medical professionals claiming to represent a family member in distress (overdue rent, payment for car repairs, etc.).

They might also pose as the grandchild directly asking the grandparent to guess who is calling. Scammers ask for money to be wired to pay for medical bills or legal fees.

A new twist to the scam is for the perpetrators to appear in person to collect the money requested. Scammers are also using artificial intelligence to disguise their voices to sound like the victim’s loved one.

Police say anyone receiving this kind of communication should contact their loved one before giving any sum of money to an unknown person, company, agency or organization.

The other scam involves somebody impersonating Amazon representatives by phone. The scammer indicated an issue with the victim’s account and said personnel from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) would be in contact. Pictures were sent to the victim of an individual’s ID and badge, suggesting they worked for the DEA and FTC. One individual met the victim locally and took possession of the money.

These types of eCommerce scams encompass any type of fraud that takes place on, targets or impersonates an eCommerce site or platform.

Brand impersonation is the name given to situations where someone pretends to be a trusted brand or company to trick consumers into disclosing personal information, including their bank account details.

Brand impersonation can happen online, over the phone, by email or even by postal mail. Therefore, it’s important to remember that just because you’re an eCommerce brand, it doesn’t mean all fraud attacks happen virtually, the release states.

The sheriff's office warns residents to be aware of these scams and educate themselves to avoid becoming a victim. Always check with your bank first or contact your local law enforcement if something seems suspicious. The more we know, the harder it is for these scammers to take advantage of you.

Anyone with details about the scams is asked to call 574-267-5667.

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