Board warns applicants after scammers send fake invoices requesting wire transfers

At the end of the July 9, 2025 meeting the Plain Board of Zoning Appeals and staff warned applicants that scammers have been sending fake invoices that appear to come from village staff and request wire transfers.

Planning staff told the board that three recent applicants received emailed invoices asking for several thousand dollars to be wired; staff said legitimate variance fees are $300 and are prepaid through the office. According to the record, those scam invoices requested about $4,000 to $5,000. In the cases reported at the meeting applicants contacted staff before wiring funds.

Staff said it has passed the information to the village's IT staff and police department for investigation and will issue a public notice reminding applicants that the village does not request wire transfers and that official invoices do not ask for such payments. Staff also urged applicants to call the office if they receive suspicious invoices before making any payment.

Board members directed staff to continue outreach to applicants and take steps to alert people who previously applied. No formal vote was taken; the item was presented as a board information/discussion item and staff reported next steps: IT and police will investigate and planning staff will notify recent applicants and post a public warning.