Portland Fire & Rescue is alerting Portland residents of fraudulent letters being sent out, accusing residents of illegal burn violations and threatening potential fines and property forfeiture.

These fake letters include the PF&R logo, rather than the correct PF&R letterhead, and attempt to emulate PF&R Interim Fire Chief AJ Jackson’s contact information and signature.

The letters state that these illegal burning violations could lead to fines of $1,500, along with the claim that failure to act may lead to the “involuntary” forfeiture of properties.

According to PF&R, other inconsistencies in the fraudulent letters compared to a real one, include:

• The ordinance referenced within the body of the letter addresses tree removal and not illegal burning. This same ordinance is cited in reference to the potential of property forfeiture.
• PF&R does not have an “800” number used for its communications. The “800” number in the letter directs recipients to an adult content phone line.

In a press release, the department wrote, “PF&R would like to remind Portlanders to never provide any financial information over the phone or by mail to an unknown or unverified source.”