Board warns property owners about fraudulent permit-invoice emails; sheriff notified
Summary
Board staff told members that fraudulent invoice emails were sent to property owners for the two hearings, with incorrect reply addresses and requests to wire payment; staff reported the incidents to the sheriff’s office and the sheriff posted a public warning.
Baptist County Wetlands Board staff alerted the board that property owners who received hearing notices were also sent fraudulent invoice emails asking for payment by wire transfer.
Staff said the emails went out on Sept. 1 and mimicked a legitimate invoice but used an incorrect reply address and instructed recipients to send wired payment. Staff reported the incident to the sheriff’s office; Sheriff April Edwards publicized the issue on the sheriff’s Facebook page, staff told the board. Staff advised recipients to ignore the fraudulent payment instructions and directed staff to continue coordination with law enforcement.
No payment by property owners was documented in the meeting record. The board adjourned after staff confirmed the complaint to the sheriff’s office.
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