Wilmette residents beware, payment scammers are making the rounds.
In a Village of Wilmette announcement sent out over email on Tuesday, officials warned residents about a series of recent scam efforts involving parties “impersonating Village departments and employees” attempting to collect fraudulent payments.
According to the notice, scammers contacted a handful of local businesses and homeowners by email from a sender claiming to be the Village’s Community Development Department.
The scammer then requested a wire transfer payment for fees associated with their permit applications.
The emails sent utilized the official Village logo and additional information to make it appear as a legitimate communication request.
Village Manager Michael Braiman told Pioneer Press over email that officials were made aware of at least four zoning applicants who received fraudulent emails, one of whom submitted a non-refundable $3,000 payment to the sender.
“The emails are very sophisticated, so we encourage anyone who receives an email from the Village requesting payment related to a zoning or building application to contact us right away,” Braiman said.
The scam alert included a series of warning signs to watch for:
• Requesting immediate payment or using urgent language like “FINAL NOTICE”
• Receiving emails or texts with unexpected invoices or attachments
• Requesting personal account information like bank accounts, login credentials or Social Security Numbers
• Requesting payment via phone, wire transfers or through the use of other “untraceable” forms of payment such as prepaid cards, gift cards or cryptocurrency
Officials also advised residents to always check the sender’s email address. Even if the department name or address looks official in the correspondence, it may not be.
Village of Wilmette invoices are only sent from the @wilmette.com official email address and invoices are only payable in person, via postal mail or through an online payment portal.
If residents receive an email they believe to be fraudulent, visit Village Hall at 1200 Wilmette Avenue or contact the Village’s Finance Department at 847-251-2700.
Anyone who feels that they have been a victim of fraud can contact the Wilmette Police Department at 847-256-1200 to report the incident.
