Sandpoint warns of fraudulent invoices targeting Planning Division customers

By Reader Staff

Officials at Sandpoint City Hall issued a warning Oct. 23 that customers of the Planning Division have been subject to at least one phishing attempt, while “there may be additional threats currently active,” according to a news release.

One fraudulent incident was identified, when a customer with a project under review received a fake invoice from a suspicious email address resembling a city of Sandpoint account. 

According to the city, “The message requested a wire transfer payment of $4,800 and included fabricated invoice documentation. The customer, acting cautiously, brought the invoice directly to City Hall before proceeding with payment. No financial loss occurred, and the city is grateful this attempt was caught before any financial loss occurred.”

Officials are taking a number of steps to safeguard the public from spurious messages purporting to be from the city, including:

 • Issuing direct warnings to applicants and developers with active projects;

 • Reminding the public that the city will never request payment via wire transfer;

• Reviewing internal and external protocols to reduce exposure of applicant contact information;

 • Exploring steps to redact sensitive information from public-facing webpages.

“Customers and members of the public are urged to exercise caution with unsolicited emails requesting payment or sensitive information,” the city stated. “If you receive a suspicious message or invoice that appears to come from the city, please contact City Hall directly before taking any action.”

Meanwhile, officials are reviewing digital security measures and remain “committed to protecting both internal operations and the community from cyber threats,” according to the release.