Cedar Rapids assessor reports possible impersonators

In the past two weeks, the Cedar Rapids Assessor's Office has received two reports of individuals purporting to be assessor employees conducting inspections.

Officials with the Assessor's Office confirmed that assessor employees were not involved in the incidents, and authorities suspect the individuals might have been impersonating city employees.

Details about when and where the purported inspections happened were not immediately available. Cedar Rapids police Sgt. Cristy Hamblin said the reporting parties did not let the impersonators inspect their properties.

Police have no suspects at this time, Hamblin said.

The Assessor's Office wants to remind members of the public that assessor employees carry city photo identification badges that are displayed on the outside of their clothing. They inspect properties between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Inspections made before or after those hours happen only by appointment and typically at the request of the property owner.

City assessor employees also will leave door-hangers at the properties they visit if no one is home. The door hangers include their name and phone number.

Anyone who is approached by someone purporting to be an assessor's employee without the proper identification can call the City Assessor's Office at 319-286-5888 or the Cedar Rapids Police Department at 319-286-5491.