10/13/2026
Scam alert! 🚨
Warning to residents, developers, board members.
There has been a widespread phishing and impersonation scam nationwide, targeting people with active applications with local Planning and Zoning Boards.
How the Scam Works
• Targeting Public Records: Scammers scrape public meeting agendas, planning boar d minutes, and zoning notices to identify individuals, builders, or business owners with real, pending applications
• Realistic Impersonation: Emails or notices use spoofed sender addresses, real official names, accurate case numbers, property addresses, and official town logos or seals
• Demand for Wire Transfers: The messages claim an urgent fee, deposit, or "expediting" charge is required immediately and demand payment via electronic wire transfer, ACH, or gift cards.
How to Protect Yourself
• Municipalities Never Wire , Local planning boards and Town Halls do not request application fees, permits, or fines via wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards
• Check the Domain: Legitimate government emails always end in .gov or .us, not free or generic email services like .com. (ex: Marblehead emails will always end in .gov)
• Independent Verification: Do not reply to the email, click any links, or call the phone number listed in the suspicious message. Instead, look up your town’s official phone number independently and call the department directly
