‘NEXTDOOR’ MAIL INVITATIONS RAISE EYEBROWS IN COMMUNITY
Residents in the area have raised concerns of possible scams occurring after receiving a mail invitation to join a networking app.
KWHI received notice from a family in Chappell Hill who received an invitation to join Nextdoor, an online social network platform designed to allow members to post about happenings in their community. The family received a letter that reads as if it were sent by a local neighbor inviting them to join the app.
The letter provided by the family includes a website URL and a six-digit code to join, adding that the code expires in seven days. The envelope includes a return address on FM 1371 and lists Sauney Chappell Neighbor and FM 1371 Neighbors on the outside.
However, the postmark on the envelope indicates it was mailed from ZIP code 92834, located in Fullerton, California. Nextdoor’s website shows its headquarters to be in San Francisco, California.
KWHI reached out to Washington County Sheriff Otto Hanak, who said the Sheriff’s Office has not received any reports of homeowners getting these invitations, but he would consider this to be a scam.
Nextdoor has addressed similar concerns from homeowners around the United States in previous news reports, saying the letters are not a scam, and are only sent from verified members with their permission. The company says members are required to use their real name and verify their home address in order to join, but does not use, store, or share that information.
The business profile of Nextdoor on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website indicates the company is registered with the BBB, but is not BBB accredited and has hundreds of negative reviews.
It is not a scam. I joined using a mailed invitation from a neighbor.
It is a handy app where one can post lost and found animals. Services and products for sale or barter. I can also keep up with happenings on my street or neighborhood.
Me, too. I received one of these invites probably a year or so ago from supposedly one of the “local” neighbors. Code was included to join. Uh, no thanks. When it says you need to join because of car break-ins on your street and you know there haven’t been any, it really sends up a red flag warning. This mail is good for the recycle bin.
It’s not a scam. I’ve been a member of Nextdoor Blue Bell for several years. You can send requests for neighbors to be sent invitation letters. You choose which neighbors from a map.
I’ve found a lost pet from a neighbor posting after finding it. It’s a great way to connect with neighbors and get recommendations too.