MAPLETON – Residents are being warned to keep their eyes open for fraudulent emails regarding invoices claiming to be from the township of Mapleton.
In a statement posted to both his and the township's Facebook Wednesday afternoon informing residents about the potential threat of these fraudulent emails, Mayor Gregg Davidson asked residents to be diligent when responding to anyone online.
According to Davidson, township staff sends emails out very rarely and usually as a response to an email they received.
"Often you will see now these kinds of fishing expeditions being done by fraudsters," said Davidson, in an interview. "I've had emails sent out under my name as the mayor to residents as well so it does happen all the time."
So far, the township has only been made aware of one fraudulent email, which claims to be from an individual named "Andersen David" and asks for confirmation of the status of an "outstanding invoices payment" and to "revert to the total amount."
This is followed by a note requesting all pending invoice payments be put on hold until further instructions.
While Davidson said they have no idea who Andersen David is, he confirmed they are not a staff member.
In the event a resident does receive a questionable email, Davidson said to contact the township and they'll be more than happy to help and walk you through whatever's happened.
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program
