What does it mean when a city puts a tax lien on you?

[sosmary]

I was checking my free credit report, I saw on it where the county from where i was born & raised has put a two hundred dollar lien on me in 2003. What does that mean? I have never owned property, the only property owned there belongs to my parents. So what does that mean? Am afraid to call them for fear up opening up a can of worms.I have not been to that city since 2000. Help!

[bostonianinmo]

They either think that you owe, or there's been a mixup with someone with a similar name as yours.  The WORST thing that you can do is not contact them!  If I told you that you owed me $200, you'd demand proof.  You should be doing the same thing with the city or county that placed the lien.

[Brent]

It's crazy not to follow up on this.  It's already showing up on your credit and is going to cost you money in the form of higher interest rates.  Technically, you don't even need to contact them.  Why not the credit bureau that is reporting the information and file a dispute.  They will contact the city and give them 30 days to show evidence the debt is correct.  I'd try this method first.