Updated Nov. 6: This version includes a link to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center for reporting the scam email.

The Town of Hillsborough is aware of a new email scam that requests payment for permit fees.

You can avoid being scammed by:

• Checking with the town or other government agency that is supposedly asking you to pay for a permit or other fees.
• Not replying to the email, which often requests that you reply to receive instructions on how to pay.

The new scam appears to be sent from an email that ends in “plannings.us” or “hillsboroughnc.gov@usa.com" and may reference a real, past or present home improvement project at your address. The email asks for fees on behalf of the town’s planning and economic development division.

Town emails end in “hillsboroughnc.gov.” News releases and bid postings sent by email come from townofhillsborough@public.govdelivery.com. If you receive an email that seems to be from the Town of Hillsborough and you would like to check on its validity, contact a town employee at an email address or phone number that you have previously used or through the town’s Contact Us page. Or call the town’s general number at 919-732-1270.

Four Signs It’s a Scam

The Federal Trade Commission notes scammers typically:

• Pretend to be from an organization you know, even showing up on your phone with a spoofed caller identification.
• Say there’s a problem with your account or a prize.
• Pressure you to act immediately.
• Tell you to pay in a specific way. 

Report Scams

The Hillsborough Police Department asks those who receive this scam email to report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. Note that there is a scam alert on the center’s website about scammers impersonating the Internet Crime Complaint Center. The center will not directly contact someone who files a complaint asking for information or money. 

In addition to reporting the scam email to the FBI, it is advised that you follow this advice from the Federal Trade Commission:

• Report the scam to the organization or company that was imitated by calling a number you know is real.
• Report the scam to the commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
• Report the scam to your state attorney general.
• Let other people know about the scam so they can avoid it, too.

If you have paid a scammer, see the Federal Trade Commission’s What to Do If You Were Scammed page, which includes information on how you might get your money back.