(from news release)
Warning! Unscrupulous scammers are at it again.
On Nov. 14, the City of Sartell issued a scammer alert warning all residents to be on guard against a scheme to extract money via fraudulent invoice notices.
The phony invoice claims to be from Sartell’s Planning & Zoning Department. It instructs the recipients to make payments by wire transfer and to contact them by email only.
The “invoice” email sent be scammers contains the following bogus information:
In capital letters, the invoice announces: “CITY OF SARTELL PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION”
That is followed by a phony email address: planning-dept.cityofsartellminnesota@usa.com (that is NOT a legitimate City of Sartell email address).
The invoice asks the recipients to send payments via wire transfer and to communicate back by email only.
City warns
First and foremost to remember is the City of Sartell will never request or accept payments via wire transfer, will never ask someone to communicate by email only and will never send documents solely via email without prior contact.
How the City does communicate:
Official city emails come from addresses ending in @sartellmn.com
Payments are accepted through secure, approved methods such as in-person, online via the city’s official website or by mailed check – never by wire.
If the city sends billing information electronically, it’s accompanied by official contact information and a follow-up option by phone.
You can always call Sartell City Hall to verify any invoice, bill or notice you receive. Call 320-253-2171.
A reminder! Never send money by wire transfer, gift cards or cryptocurrency to anyone you do not know because that is always a scam. Your safety and security are a priority.
