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Commission explains omission of applicant materials from packet after scam attempts
Summary
Commission staff said application files were intentionally omitted from the posted meeting packet after scammers harvested applicant contact information and impersonated city staff; the public information office issued guidance for applicants to verify official domains. Commissioners discussed notifying applicants about how to pay fees and avoid fraudulent emails.
During consideration of preliminary plats, a commissioner asked why some application materials were missing from the posted packet. Staff explained the omission is intentional: scammers had been accessing the packet, collecting applicants’ contact information and sending fraudulent emails asking for wire transfers while impersonating city staff and commissioners.
Staff said the city’s public information office has issued a notice to affected applicants advising them to verify the sending domain and be cautious of requests for payment. Commissioners asked if applicants had been notified directly; staff said applicants were contacted via the city link and that the omission of attachments from the public packet is intended to reduce future exploitation.
