FBI Warning About Phishing Scam

FBI Warning on Nationwide Phishing Scam

The FBI is warning the public about a nationwide phishing scam in which criminals impersonate city and county planning or zoning officials to request fraudulent payments for permit fees.

For more details, visit the Federal Bureau of Investigation PSA.

Summary

Scammers are using publicly available permit information—such as property addresses, application numbers, and the names of officials—to send convincing emails that appear legitimate. These emails may include professional formatting, detailed permit information, and attached invoices requesting payment via wire transfer, peer-to-peer payment services, or cryptocurrency.  Messages often emphasize urgency and warn that delays in payment could affect the permitting process.

Please take the following precautions:

• Do not assume an email is legitimate based on letterhead, logos, or official names.
• Verify the sender’s email address and domain carefully.
• Confirm any payment requests by contacting the County office directly using the phone number listed on the official website.  https://permitsonoma.org/

If you believe you have received a fraudulent message or have been a victim of this scam, report it Permit Sonoma and to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. Please include any relevant email details and payment information.