Treasurer Donna Kurtz said the callers are trying to extract banking information and other sensitive personal details from residents. She urged anyone who receives such a call to hang up immediately.

"If you receive a call like this, hang up," Kurtz said in a statement. "The Treasurer's Office does not offer a payment plan for overdue taxes, and neither the Treasurer's Office nor any other McHenry County government agency will ever call you by phone regarding delinquent payments."

Kurtz said any official communication about delinquent taxes is sent through certified mail, not by telephone.

Residents who believe they have been targeted can contact the treasurer's office directly to verify the payment status of their property tax bill, officials said.

The warning comes as property tax bills arrive and scammers seek to exploit homeowners' anxiety about deadlines and penalties. Officials stressed that county agencies do not solicit payment or financial information by phone, and that residents should treat unsolicited calls demanding money as a red flag.

Residents with questions about their tax bill are encouraged to reach out to the McHenry County Treasurer's Office through official channels rather than responding to unsolicited callers.