FBI Warns of Phishing Scam Targeting Planning and Zoning Permit Applicants
Summary
The FBI warns that scammers are impersonating municipal officials and using public permit details to demand fake fees. Applicants are urged to verify requests through official contacts and report suspected fraud to IC3.
Key points
- The reported scam targets people with active planning and zoning permit applications.
- Scammers use public permit records, including addresses and application numbers, to make payment requests appear credible.
- Messages may impersonate local officials and include forged PDF invoices.
- Fraudsters demand payment by wire transfer, peer-to-peer services, or cryptocurrency.
- Applicants should verify payment requests by contacting the municipal office using details from its official website.
- The FBI urges victims to report suspected permit payment fraud to IC3.
Article Details
- Event Type
- Phishing and payment-fraud campaign impersonating city and county officials in planning and zoning permit communications.
- Impact
- Applicants with active permit applications may be pressured to send fraudulent administrative-fee payments by wire transfer, peer-to-peer services, or cryptocurrency. The article says these payments can be difficult to trace or recover; it does not report confirmed losses.