Winona warns businesses about fake Planning Commission invoices

Scammers in Winona, Minnesota, are sending fake invoices to local businesses, demanding immediate wire transfers, according to KTTC. The emails impersonate the City of Winona Planning Commission to trick contractors and property owners.

The fraudsters are pulling details from public records and news reports to make the fake invoices look legitimate. They then pressure recipients to send money via wire transfer, a method the city says it never uses for payments.

How the scam works

The fraudulent messages come from an email address ending in @usa.com. Official City of Winona staff emails end in @winonamn.gov. If you see a request for a wire transfer, assume it’s not real.

If you run a business in Winona or handle payments for a client there, take a moment today. Check the sender’s email address on any invoice from the city. Verify the sender’s email address; official city staff emails end in @winonamn.gov. Call the City of Winona Community Development Office at 507-457-8250 to confirm any suspicious invoice. (KTTC)

We’ve seen this exact pattern before. Scammers use public data to look real, then ask for money in a hurry. The fix is simple: slow down and call the number on the city website, not the one in the email. It takes a moment and saves you from a big headache.

Sources: KTTC | Rochester, MN.