The St. Joseph Planning Commission is spreading the word about a scam we reported on this week involving emails claiming to be from the city and seeking payment for event applications.
Speaking at a meeting Thursday, Planning Commission Chair Patsy Hartzell said people who’ve submitted applications to the body for all kinds of projects have reported getting the messages.
“We believe this is nefarious, not to mention illegal,” Hartzell said. “The city is not doing that. I only know about it because one of them apparently went out with my name on it sometime last fall. Believe me, I have never asked for it, nor do I want any money from anybody.”
Someone who’s applied to the city for permission for an event or project could receive an email seeking additional application fees. Hartzell had a message for anyone targeted by the scam.
“Spread the word. If you get something like that, that appears to be — ‘I’ve already paid this, why are they asking for something else?’ Call city hall immediately first. Tell them about it. Make sure don’t just send checks out or money to people…I’m told there’s an investigation looking into this from law enforcement.”
An applicant present at Thursday’s meeting said he also got one of those emails. He said he contacted the city about it, rather than paying.
We reported this week Lory’s Place also received such a message, seeking to scam the non-profit out of money for its Run, Walk, Rock event. Fortunately, they didn’t fall for it.
Hartzell told everyone present at Thursday’s meeting to spread the word about the scam.
“We’ll get them, whoever it is. We’ll get them.”
