A wave of scam emails has prompted a warning from the Ontario County Planning Department, which says fraudsters are posing as the County Planning Board and asking for money.
County officials say the emails falsely claim fees are required to submit applications or referrals to the Ontario County Planning Board. The department stressed that no such fees exist.
“All legitimate email communications from Ontario County will originate from an official @ontariocountyny.gov email address,” the department said. Any message using a different domain should be treated as fraudulent.
How the scam works
According to the alert, the scam emails often pressure recipients to pay quickly, sometimes threatening delays in project reviews. Officials say requests may ask for payment through wire transfers, gift cards, prepaid debit cards, or cryptocurrency.
The department also warned that scam messages may contain spelling or grammar errors, poor formatting, or unclear language.
Timing raises red flags
County officials said scam attempts most often show up the week before a County Planning Board meeting. Many occur during the first week of each month, matching the board’s public meeting schedule.
The Planning Board does not request payments and does not require immediate financial action as part of its review process, officials said.
What to do if you get one
Anyone who receives a suspicious email or questions a message’s legitimacy should contact Ontario County directly at 585-396-4455 or use the official contact information on the county website.
Officials urge residents, municipalities, and anyone involved in town or village planning to stay alert and share the warning to help prevent further fraud.
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