Residents of Hamilton County should be on high alert for a scam targeting individuals navigating the local bureaucratic maze. According to a recent notice from the Hamilton County Planning Department, a con artist has been masquerading as an agent authorized to collect variance-seeking fees, a scam designed to hoodwink those in the midst of attaining their municipal blessings.
In a brazen act, the scammer attempted to pocket fees that should have been heading into the county's coffers, the Planning Department issues a clear warning: they do not engage third-party agents for fee collection, neither do they tap wire services to process payments, so if someone comes a-knocking with such requests you would do well to view it with suspicion; fraud is afoot.
This deceptive tactic puts applicants at risk not only financially but also potentially disrupts the administrative process they seek to navigate. The Planning Department is now urging all petitioners to remain vigilant and conduct transactions directly with the department to avoid falling prey to this scheme. Don't let your planning process become a losing lottery ticket to a scammer's shady jackpot.
For those inevitable times when the need to exchange money with the county arises, remember that the Planning Department has its processes and you can get that laid out straight from the horse's mouth, the department stands as the sole collector of any fees associated with their services.
