Fraudulent letters are being sent to Portland residents regarding illegal burning fine violations, Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) warns.
The letters, featuring the PF&R logo, as well as a forgery of Interim Chief Al Jacksonโs signature, accuse residents of illegally burning on their properties – warning that the violations could lead to fines of $1,500 and possible โinvoluntaryโ forfeiture of property for failure to act.
PF&R says the logo on the fraudulent letters appears in the return address area of the envelope, as well as centered at the top of the page, as opposed to the official letterhead of PF&R. They say the ordinance referenced in the body of the letters is actually regarding tree removal, not illegal burning. In addition, they say the 800 provided for payment goes to an adult content phone line.
PF&R says they do not have an 800 number, and that they have not threatened any property owners with โinvoluntaryโ property forfeiture.
They warn residents to never provide financial information, either over the phone or by mail, to an unknown or unverified source.
