Planning Committee Warns of Fake Payment Demands Sent to Developers
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
The Zmora Planning and Building Committee is warning developers in central Israel about fake emails demanding payment for building permits. These fraudulent demands, which mimic official notices, have been sent to applicants in Mazkeret Batya, Kiryat Ekron, and Bnei Ayish. The committee states that official demands are never sent via email and urges recipients to verify all payment requests directly before transferring funds to prevent financial loss.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- The Zmora Planning Committee warned of fake payment demands sent to developers in central Israel.
- The fraudulent emails requested payment of building permit fees and used fake committee details.
- Official payment demands are only processed through the 'Rishui Zamin' system or in person.
- The committee stressed that official demands are never sent directly via email.
- Recipients are urged to verify all payment requests before transferring funds.
- Similar impersonation attempts have been reported in other Israeli planning committees and local authorities.
The Zmora Planning and Building Committee has issued an unusual warning to developers and permit applicants in the Mazkeret Batya, Kiryat Ekron, and Bnei Ayish areas regarding fraudulent payment demands. Several developers contacted the committee after receiving official-looking emails requesting payment of fees. Upon investigation, the committee discovered that these documents were not issued by them, despite appearing to be legitimate notices. Suspicious details included an incorrect email address, a non-committee logo, a signatory not employed by the committee, and bank account details that did not belong to the committee.
The committee emphasized that official payment demands for building permits are exclusively processed through the "Rishui Zamin" system or delivered in person at the committee's offices. They explicitly stated that such demands are never sent directly via email. Developers, architects, and permit applicants are urged to carefully verify the source of any payment demands they receive and to refrain from transferring funds before confirming the details.
This incident is part of a broader trend, with similar impersonation attempts recently reported in other planning committees and local authorities across Israel. The Zmora committee advised recipients not to rely on the appearance of the document, the sender's name, or attached bank details. They stressed that before making any payment, it is crucial to confirm it is an official demand from the committee. If any doubt arises, individuals should avoid payment and contact the committee's management directly for clarification, noting that vigilance and simple verification can prevent significant financial damage.
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