Beware. Viral video about property Ohio property tax…

In August 2026, Stark County officials issued a warning regarding a viral video circulating on YouTube that falsely claims a new federal property tax relief program exists for older homeowners. The video, which utilizes artificial intelligence to appear credible, has prompted numerous residents to visit the Auditor's office in person to request a non-existent form.

What happened

The video encourages viewers to request a document titled the 'Senior Homeowner Tax Review Request' form, which the Stark County Auditor's Office confirms does not exist. According to Auditor Angela Kinsey, her office has received at least five inquiries daily for approximately a month due to the misinformation. The video has been shared through social media and email, often between friends and family members, and specifically targets the elderly population.

Stark County Auditor Angela Kinsey and the County Auditors' Association of Ohio have clarified that there is no federal mandate for such a form. They emphasize that while legitimate programs like the Homestead Exemption exist, the claims made in the viral video are entirely inaccurate. Officials are urging residents to avoid sharing personal or financial information on unverified websites and to contact their local County Auditor’s Office directly to verify any tax relief claims.

Major Rick Stauffer of the Stark County Sheriff's Investigations Division noted that the AI-generated video can be difficult to identify, but advised residents to look for discrepancies such as dialogue out of sync with lip movements, inconsistent backgrounds, and spelling errors. Law enforcement officials reminded the public that government agencies will never pressure residents for money or request payments via cryptocurrency or gift cards.