Scam Targets Building Permit Applicants
For Immediate Release Contact: Stu Marckoon, 207-667-2242
(Lamoine, Maine) – The Town of Lamoine, Maine has become aware that some applicants for construction permits have started receiving e-mail messages from an unknown sender demanding payment for “Application Review & Approval Fees”. The e-mail address is NOT a legitimate address from the town. It purports to be from the “Town of Lamoine Planning Division”, and allegedly from the “Chair” The e-mail asks recipients to wire a large sum of money. THESE E-MAILS ARE A SCAM.
Town Treasurer Stu Marckoon advises anyone who might receive such a communication to delete the e-mail, not to respond to it, and not to open the attached invoice. Law Enforcement has been advised of the situation.
While the Town of Lamoine does require a fee for various applications that the Code Enforcement Officer and/or Planning Board processes, the fees are collected by town office staff at the time of submission when possible. The town will never request a permit applicant to wire money.
One of the items to look for in the phony e-mail is the return address. Legitimate e-mail will use the town’s domain name. These e-mails come from a “usa.com” domain. There is no such thing as the Town of Lamoine Planning Division. If someone has been harmed by this scam, you are advised to immediately contact law enforcement, and to contact your bank to stop any transaction.
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