EVERETT — A Lynnwood woman accused of posing as a state tax collector has been charged with a felony.
Karen Cunningham, 45, allegedly impersonated a public employee from the state Department of Revenue to steal cash from businesses in Edmonds and Marysville.
An Edmonds business owner paid Cunningham $109 after she was told that she owed back taxes, according to charging papers. The owner was suspicious because the woman didn’t have any identification and didn’t give her an official receipt.
Cunningham allegedly tried the same scam at a Marysville business. The business owner didn’t fall for the ruse and never handed over any money.
Cunningham is charged with first-degree criminal impersonation.
She worked intermittently for the department between 2003 and 2005 and became familiar with procedures, according to state officials.
The Department of Revenue says the case apparently marks the first time that anyone has attempted to impersonate a tax collector from the agency.
Tax collectors do contact businesses but carry official photo identification and normally don’t ask for cash payments.
Anyone who suspects that they may have been targeted for the scam is asked to call the Department of Revenue at 425-356-4800.
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