The FBI has issued a nationwide alert regarding a sophisticated phishing scheme in which scammers impersonate local planning and zoning officials to solicit fraudulent municipal permit fees.

The Town of Hingham is alerting residents to a recent fraudulent attempt to solicit payment using a fake invoice sent to a local resident. The invoice, which appeared to be legitimate at first glance, was determined to be part of a scam.

The fraudulent document claimed to be a bill for services never rendered and related to a project application and included a request for immediate payment. The Town urges residents to exercise caution when opening unsolicited mail or email, and to take the time to verify any unexpected invoices, bills, or requests for personal or financial information.  

Email Contents: The fraudulent e-mail contained the following in an attempt to appear legitimate:

• The Town’s name or logo
• References to a real property address or project
• Requested payment via wire transfer, check, or other non-standard methods apps (like Zelle, Cash App, or Venmo)
• Email address mimics municipal names but come from generic domains (e.g., "@usa.com") rather than official .gov addresses 

Please note:

• The Town of Hingham will never request application or permit fee payments by email
• All legitimate Town fees are paid directly through official channels, typically in person at Town Hall or through the Town’s authorized online payment system accessible via our website at www.hingham-ma.gov
• If you receive a suspicious invoice, email, or phone call requesting payment, do not respond or send money. 

Anyone who receives a questionable invoice or communication is encouraged to:

• Contact the alleged sender directly using known, verified contact information which is available on the Town's Website at www.hingham-ma.gov
• Refrain from sharing personal or financial details unless absolutely certain of the request’s legitimacy
• Report the suspected fraud to the Hingham Police Department at 781-749-1212

The Town of Hingham remains committed to keeping residents informed and safe from scams and fraud. Updates will be shared on the Town website at www.hingham-ma.gov and through official communication channels.