Tax lien sales
shock, dismay

"While most Georgia counties prohibit this practice, Fulton and Gwinnett counties routinely sell tax liens to private third parties who can pump up the lien value and use foreclosure to collect the debt.

Proponents say selling tax liens to private businesses lowers counties’ collection costs.

But critics say the tactic is an abdication of a county’s tax collection responsibility, removes due process protections for homeowners and places unnecessary financial burdens on taxpayers."