Scammer Targets Developer by Posing as Town Official

PLYMOUTH, Mass. — A scam involving someone impersonating a town official has raised concerns about fraudulent communications targeting local businesses and development applicants.

According to the Town of Plymouth, scammers have been sending emails to Zoning Board of Appeals applicants while posing as town employees and attempting to collect money through fraudulent payment requests.

The town issued a public warning on October 20 after reports of emails designed to look like legitimate municipal correspondence. The messages reportedly used Town of Plymouth Zoning Board of Appeals letterhead and included the signature of a town employee.

Recipients were instructed to make wire transfers to pay application fees, according to the town’s warning. Officials emphasized that the town does not request payments through wire transfers.

The scam highlights how criminals can use official-looking documents, familiar names and government branding to make fraudulent requests appear legitimate. Businesses, developers and residents involved in municipal permitting should carefully verify unexpected invoices and payment instructions before sending money.

Town officials recommend contacting the relevant department through a verified phone number or visiting Town Hall to confirm whether a communication is genuine. Residents should also examine the sender’s email address, as scammers may use addresses that resemble official government accounts.

Anyone who receives an invoice that appears to come from the Town of Plymouth is encouraged to contact the town’s IT Help Desk at 508-747-1620, extension 10411, for assistance verifying its legitimacy.

Officials warn residents not to provide personal information or send money in response to suspicious emails.

The warning serves as a reminder that even messages containing official-looking letterhead and employee signatures should be independently verified before any payment is made.

Source: Town of Plymouth public notice, October 20, 2026, and related local reporting. “Read the town’s official warning” (https://plymouth-ma.gov/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/683).