More local residents are losing their cars, being harassed by collection agencies and facing the loss of their homes as tax delinquency rates across the region go through the roof.

Today in Montgomery County, officials will sell to private collection firms the right to collect the tax debts residents and business owners owe the government. About $5 million in taxpayer debt will be sold to the highest bidder, up from $3.6 million in 2007. Officials expect the number to decrease slightly, as some people paid up last week.