Photo: Supatman / iStock / Getty Images
Saratoga Springs officials are alerting residents about a scam targeting people who have applied for municipal board reviews. Fraudulent emails are being sent to applicants who have matters before the Zoning Board of Appeals, Planning Board, and Design Review Board, claiming they owe fees for final reviews.
The scam follows a pattern seen in other municipalities across the Northeast, where criminals use publicly available information from planning and zoning board agendas to create convincing fake invoices. The fraudulent messages often include accurate details such as real meeting dates, legitimate application information, and may even use official-looking logos and staff names to appear authentic.
Officials emphasize that the emails are not from any authorized city department. Saratoga Springs staff do not send invoices for application fees through email, as legitimate fees must be paid in person when applications are submitted.
Similar scams have recently targeted residents in Northfield, New Jersey, and Concord, Massachusetts, where scammers demanded payments via wire transfer for supposedly required application or board hearing fees. The fraudsters typically use spoofed email addresses that closely resemble official municipal domains, making the messages appear legitimate to applicants unfamiliar with municipal processes.
Authorities warn that anyone who receives one of these suspicious emails should not reply to the sender, send any payment, or open attachments. Residents with questions about application fees or who receive suspicious messages should contact their local planning or zoning office directly using official contact information found on the city website.