Story by Rodger Nichols for Gorge Country Media
The scammers are at it again. This time, targeting Klickitat County residents who are attempting to rebuild after the Burdoin fire.
Chris Havard, who is an applicant, reported receiving an email with a heading from the Klickitat County Planning Department, but coming from from Gorge Commission Executive Director Krystyna Wolniakowsi (VOLE-knee-uh-COW-ski). The email did reference items from his actual application, which the scammer could glean from public records on the Internet and told him the next step was to pay, and to reply to the email so that he could get instructions to wire the money. There were many red flags, including that planning departments don’t ask people to wire money, and that her address was in Lawrenceville, Georgia.
But the most important thing for Klickitat County residents to know is that the Gorge Commission is not allowed to charge for applications – ever.
That’s a fact for Klickitat County residents to file away as they remain vigilant against such slimy schemes.