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Red Bank board discusses warning for applicants after reports of payment-scam emails
Summary
Board members reported multiple incidents where applicants received fraudulent emails asking for escrow or application fees to be wired to third parties; the board agreed to draft a one-page advisory attached to application paperwork warning applicants not to wire funds and to contact the board secretary for suspicious requests.
During public business on Nov. 20 a board member alerted colleagues that several applicants have received fraudulent emails instructing them to wire escrow or application fees to third-party bank accounts. The member described examples in which messages appeared to reference a real application and asked the applicant to send funds to a non-borough account.
The board discussed practical steps to reduce the risk that applicants will fall prey to the scams. Members proposed adding a one-page advisory to current application packets that would: tell applicants the borough will not ask for wire transfers for application or escrow fees; advise applicants to use checks delivered by mail or hand; and instruct applicants to contact the board secretary if they receive suspicious payment requests. Board staff (Shauna and Sean were mentioned) agreed to draft the notice and to attach it to existing application paperwork and instructions.
Board members said the advisory would be a simple consumer-protection step and directed staff to circulate the proposed language for administrative review. The proposal was framed as an informational addendum to application materials rather than a regulatory change.
