(HARTFORD) – Attorney General George Jepsen has asked a Seattle, WA company for more information about certain property tax appeal services offered to Connecticut consumers after complaints were raised about the company in New Britain.

New Britain officials challenged the accuracy of the information in the letters ValueAppeal LLC purportedly sent to local property owners. The letters represented that their properties were over-assessed, calculated the amount of the over-assessment and any tax overpayment and offered to process an appeal of the assessment for a one-time fee of at least $99.

The Attorney General wrote Tuesday to ValueAppeal’s chief executive officer asking for information about any business it has done in Connecticut since Jan. 1, 2011. Among other questions, the Attorney General asked the company to explain how it determines that properties are over-assessed, as well as to fully describe the services it provides in exchange for payment.

The Attorney General also asked about the number of Connecticut residents solicited, the number of residents who used the service and the number who successfully appealed their local tax assessments.

“This information is important to help my Office evaluate whether Connecticut residents are being offered valid business services for the fees charged or, instead, are being deceived,” Attorney General Jepsen said.

The company was asked to respond before the end of the month.

Assistant Attorneys General Jeffrey Zeman, Brendan Flynn and Phillip Rosario, head of the Consumer Protection unit, are handling this matter for the Attorney General.

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