HERMISTON, Ore.-The City of Hermiston is warning residents of a fraudulent invoice scam targeting those doing business with the City.
Scammers may be reviewing publicly available documents, including Planning Commission agendas and other public records, to identify individuals or businesses with projects before the City.
According to the City, the scammers are then sending fake invoices that appear to be associated with City permits or planning-related fees to residents, businesses, and contractors doing business with the City.
In a recent example of the scam that was reported to the city, an individual with a project before the Planning Commission received an invoice with the Hermiston City logo, requesting payment of $5,750.
The fake invoice reportedly included line items for Planning Application Review & Processing, Zoning & Land Use Compliance Assessment, Legal & Administrative Review, and Public Notice & Documentation.
According to Hermiston officials, the invoice was not issued by the City and originated from an account not associated with the City.
“The City of Hermiston is committed to transparency and helping the public avoid scams like this,” said Hermiston City Manager Byron Smith.
Tips for residents, developers, contractors, and others to avoid scams
- Do not pay any invoices that you receive unexpectedly
- Before submitting any payments, verify the payment request with the City of Hermiston
- If you receive an unexpected invoice via email, review the address for suspicious domains
- Contact the appropriate City of Hermiston department if you receive a suspicious invoice
Contact information is available online, and verification requests may also be filed online with the City at https://www.hermiston.gov/contact.
“Our staff are always available to answer questions and verify legitimate City communications,” said Smith. “If you receive an invoice or request for payment that you’re unsure about, please contact us before taking any action.”
