As we reported on our Facebook page this week, local resident Christal Shola reached out to us with her story about how scammers were aggressively pushing her to wire thousands of dollars leading up to her variance request in front of the LPA. These scammers are sophisticated and preying on people who simply want to get back into their homes and businesses. They used town letterhead and knew the details about Christal’s request. The e-mail she received stated that if she didn’t wire the money she would be taken off the LPA’s agenda. They requested she use a debit card which thankfully she does not have. When she went to Town Hall, to try to pay the bill in person, whe was told it was all a scam.
Town Manager Will McKannay said, “Residents like Christal Shola are exactly what make Fort Myers Beach a safer, stronger community. Her willingness to speak publicly, ask questions, and alert others reflects the kind of civic engagement that helps stop scams before real harm occurs.”
Several months ago, What’s Up FMB was also sent an invoice from a scammer with a bill for thousands of dollars for a Special Events permit for their Illuminations Parade…