Scammers Targeting Patchogue Planning, Zoning Applicants: Mayor

PATCHOGUE, NY — Village officials have alerted Patchogue residents to a scam requesting payments by wire transfers from planning and zoning board applicants, and have decided to modify the information they provide to the public about building proposals.

Officials warned that if any applicants receive such a request by mail or email they should immediately call village hall to report it and provide a copy of the correspondence which will be forwarded to the Suffolk County Police Department, where a complaint has been opened.

The scammers made off empty-handed, according to Mayor Paul Pontieri.

"We got to modify a little bit, the kind of information we put out there," he told Patch, explaining that the information supplied as part of the public notification process will no longer contain as much detail as it did before.

Residents within the 400-foot radius of proposed projects will be notified formally as before, but the village will not be "putting it in writing when it goes out to the whole world."

He asked anyone who is concerned if a document does not look official to call village hall for clarification.

Scammers had been using the term Planning and Development office, when it does not exist, instead the village has a planning office.

"Just make a phone call, it will clear it up," he added.

Village Hall can be reached at 631-475-4300.