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Planning staff warns of fraudulent email impersonating commission chair; applicant nearly wired $5,000
Summary
Staff alerted the commission to a phishing scam that used the chair's name to request a $5,000 wire payment from an applicant; the applicant contacted planning staff instead of sending funds and the town is notifying affected parties and coordinating with law enforcement.
Staff warned commissioners about a fraudulent email that impersonated planning staff and asked an applicant to wire $5,000. A staff member described the incident: "someone who's out mining data from planning commission meetings... sent them a bill for $5,000 and asked them to wire them the money." The applicant nearly complied but contacted staff, who advised against sending funds and stopped the transfer.
Staff said the scams have affected other regional planning offices and that the impersonator used the chair's name to make the request appear official. The commission discussed notifying applicants and involving police; staff indicated outreach to affected parties and a reminder that the town will never request wire transfers to private accounts for permit payments.
