City of Hermiston Warns Public About Fraudulent Invoice Scam

The City of Hermiston is alerting residents, businesses, and contractors about a recently identified scam involving fraudulent invoices sent to individuals doing business with the City.

City officials have become aware that scammers may be reviewing publicly available documents, including Planning Commission agendas and other public records, to identify individuals or businesses with projects before the City. The scammers then send fake invoices that appear to be associated with City permits or planning-related fees.

In a recent example reported to the City, an individual who has a project before the Planning Commission received an invoice with the City logo, requesting payment of $5,750. It included line items for Planning Application Review & Processing, Zoning & Land Use Compliance Assessment, Legal & Administrative Review, and Public Notice & Documentation. The invoice was not issued by the City of Hermiston and came from an account not associated with the City.

Individuals should be cautious about any unexpected payment requests and verify their legitimacy before making any payments.

“The City of Hermiston is committed to transparency and helping the public avoid scams like this,” said Hermiston City Manager Byron Smith. “Our staff are always available to answer questions and verify legitimate City communications. If you receive an invoice or request for payment that you’re unsure about, please contact us before taking any action.”

Residents, developers, contractors, and others doing business with the City are encouraged to take the following precautions:

•  Do not pay invoices that you were not expecting.
• Verify payment requests directly with the City of Hermiston before submitting payment.
• Review sender email addresses carefully for inconsistencies or suspicious domains. Official Hermiston emails will come from an account ending in @Hermiston.gov.
• Contact the appropriate City department if you receive a suspicious invoice.

Anyone who receives a questionable invoice claiming to be associated with the City of Hermiston should contact Hermiston City Hall immediately to verify the request. You can find contact information or file a request with the City at https://www.hermiston.gov/contact.