Homebuyer Program Email Not a Scam, Township Says

Despite an alert from the Woodbridge Police Department issued last week about a potential email scam, the Faith Fellowship Community Development Corporation (FFCDC) and the Sandy Homebuyers Assistance Program (SHAP) are valid Hurricane Sandy assistance groups, according to the township.

On Sept. 12, the Woodbridge Mayor's Office sent out an email containing a warning from the Woodbridge Police Department for flood victims to be wary of emails received from the two groups.

However, on Sept. 16, the mayor's office sent out a press release stating that further investigation showed that the two agencies are legit and operating under contract with the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency.

"A consumer alert was issued by the WPD last week after agencies assisting Woodbridge Township flood zone residents and potential homebuyers filed complaints of suspect emails seeking credit information," the release said. "The WPD investigation determined that the emails are part of the application process and response to the HFMA homebuyer assistance program.