Planning Commission applicants targeted with fraudulent emails
The City of Pendleton is warning residents, developers and applicants about a scam requesting additional fees for permits and development applications.
On Wednesday, Aug. 12, an applicant contacted the City of Pendleton after receiving an email requesting an additional $5,000 be paid in fees for an application submitted to the Pendleton Planning Commission. This email is fraudulent and has been reported to law enforcement.
The fraudulent emails may pull information from application documents available online and may appear legitimate. This email includes information specific to the application and referenced current City of Pendleton employees by name; however, it directs payment and questions to a fraudulent email address. The email includes an invoice charging additional fees and asking to be paid through wire transfer.
The City of Pendleton does not accept wire transfer payments and will never request payment in that manner. Anyone who received or receives a similar email should not respond, send payment or provide information to the scammers. Instead, fraudulent emails should be reported to law enforcement.
Any questions about permits should be directed to City staff by phone, direct email or in-person at City Hall, 500 SW Dorion Ave., Pendleton.