TL;DR: On March 9, 2026, the FBI warned that criminals impersonate city and county planning and zoning officials in emails about permit applications. The messages cite real case numbers and property addresses taken from public records, attach PDF invoices for fake fees and ask for wire, peer-to-peer or crypto payment.
What happened
In alert I-030926-PSA, the FBI says the unsolicited emails cite genuine permit details such as case numbers and property addresses, which criminals find in public records. They attach PDF invoices for fake fees and ask victims to pay by wire transfer, peer-to-peer payment or cryptocurrency.
The scam has been reported nationwide and targets individuals and businesses with active land-use permit applications. Victims lose the money paid under the guise of planning and zoning fees.
Why it works
Accurate details and professional formatting make the email feel like part of a real permit process, and the threat of permit delays pushes quick payment.
Red flags include accurate permit and official details, sender addresses that resemble government addresses but use non-government domains (the example given is usa.com), emails arriving during real permit discussions, itemized invoices that direct payment questions to email rather than phone, and pressure to pay quickly.
Background: our explainers on business email compromise and spear phishing. See also FTC Halts Credit Repair Scheme Tied to Nearly $200 Million and Fake FIFA Websites: FBI Warning Before the World Cup.
What the FBI advises
- Do not trust an email because it has official logos, seals, official names or good grammar.
- Check that the full email domain matches the official’s address exactly.
- Look for scam warnings on the official city or county website.
- Call the office using a phone number from its official website to confirm any fees, then file a complaint at ic3.gov with the sender’s address, the date, any phone number, the invoice amount, payment method and bank details.
If you have already sent money
Contact your bank or card issuer immediately and ask to stop or recall the payment, then report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and, for internet-enabled crime, to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. Our guides on how to report a scam to IC3, how to reverse a wire transfer scam and US bank impersonation scams walk through the steps, and what to do after a scam, wherever you live covers the first 24 hours. Scammers often start with details taken from past leaks, so run our free digital footprint check to see what of yours is already exposed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do the scammers know my permit details?
The FBI says they find case numbers and property addresses in public records.
How do the emails ask for payment?
By wire transfer, peer-to-peer payment or cryptocurrency, with a PDF invoice for fake planning and zoning fees.
What is the best check?
Call the office using a phone number from its official website to confirm any fee, and check that the email domain exactly matches the official’s address.
Where do I report it?
File a complaint with IC3 at ic3.gov with the sender’s email address, date, invoice amount and any payment details.
Sources
- FBI IC3: Criminals Impersonating City and County Officials in Phishing Emails for Planning and Zoning Permits (I-030926-PSA, Mar 9, 2026)
- FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
Related Reading
- FTC Halts Credit Repair Scheme Tied to Nearly $200 Million
- Fake FIFA Websites: FBI Warning Before the World Cup
- Charges Laid Over Alleged Fake Online Passport Service in Canada
- US Scam News: October 2026 Roundup and Warnings
- Average Loss per Victim by Scam Type (2025)
- What to do after a scam, wherever you live