VLCT just received the message below from the Office of the Vermont Attorney General
Scammers are posing as wedding planners and contacting Vermont Justices of the Peace. They are using fake email addresses to contact officiants and ask about their rates for the service. They then send a check for a large overpayment and request a refund.
This scam attempts to gain access to payments that provide not only the money, but also provide access to the checking account and routing numbers of the victims. Never provide personal information or payment to unknown or spontaneous emails or callers.
If you are concerned about unsolicited emails or calls directed to Vermont wedding officiants, look for typos, form letters, suspicious email addresses – and always call the supposed location of the event to confirm whether or not there is a reservation. If you receive a check for overpayment do not cash it and do not send money to the requester. The sender can always cancel it.
Please help stop scams by sharing this information with someone you know. If you have questions about this scam or have provided personal information or money to the scammers, please contact the Consumer Assistance Program at 1-800-649-2424 or https://ago.vermont.gov/cap.
Christopher J. Curtis, Assistant Attorney General
Director, Consumer Assistance Program
Office of the Attorney General
State of Vermont
109 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05609