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The following was posted to the Winchester Town Page:
Attention Winchester Residents:
The Town of Winchester learned today (May 20) that an unknown organization is posing as the Town of Winchester Planning Commission (an entity which does not actually exist).
The organization appears to be sending emails to permit applicants or holders requesting electronic payment, using an email with Winchester in the address as well as incorporating the Town seal and address of Town Hall into the payment demand.
These requests are fraudulent. The Winchester Police Department has opened an investigation. To protect yourself from this fraud:
• Always verify the email you have received, it should only be from winchester.us
• The Town of Winchester accepts payment in the form of personal or bank check, credit or debit card or cash (in person) The Town will never request payment by wire transfer, cryptocurrency or electronic payment applications such as Zelle, Apple, Square or Venmo or other digital payment networks.
• If you have questions or concerns about an email or the authenticity of a document from a Town of Winchester department, board or commission, please call (781) 721-7130 or email townclerk@winchester.us
• The Winchester Police remind everyone that if you become a victim of online identity theft, identity fraud or financial fraud, please file a report with the Winchester Police Department and in addition file a report with the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov and the Federal Trade Commission at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/
Thank you,
Chris Senior
Winchester Town Manager
