The FBI and the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) issued a public service announcementwarning of a sophisticated phishing campaign where cybercriminals impersonate city and county officials.

The Scam Mechanism

The campaign specifically targets businesses and individuals with active applications for land-use, planning, or zoning permits.

• Targeting: Attackers use publicly available records—such as property addresses and permit application numbers—to make their emails look authentic.
• Method: Victims receive messages featuring official government seals, letterheads, and the names of actual local officials.
• The Demand: The emails claim that “outstanding fees” are required to move the permit forward. They typically pressure victims to pay via wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or peer-to-peer apps.

Protection and Verification Tips

To stay safe, the FBI recommends the following:

• Check the Domain: Official local government emails usually end in .gov. Scammers often use convincing alternatives like .org or .com.
• Independent Verification: Never use the contact info provided in the email. Instead, find the department’s phone number on their official government website to confirm the request.
• Payment Red Flags: Legitimate government agencies will not demand payment via cryptocurrency or gift cards.