HOPE MILLS – The Town of Hope Mills has been targeted by phishing email scams, according to a press release Tuesday from the town’s public information officer, Coronda Regan. These scams use town information, posing as the Hope Mills Planning and Economic Development Department, and request wire transfers as payment.
Phishing scams involve fraudulent messages designed to trick recipients into providing personal information. They often appear to come from a legitimate source, with the goal of stealing money and personal data or installing malware — a program designed to harm a computer or network — according to Cisco.com.
This is not the first time the town has encountered a phishing scam. Last fall, the Hope Mills Board of Commissioners received emails from someone posing as the mayor, ordering the purchase of gift cards.
Regan says the matter has been turned over to the Hope Mills Police Department, which is actively investigating the scam. The town urges residents who receive any such correspondence not to reply and to contact town officials immediately.
Regan adds that town staff will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as needed.
