by Debbie Burke
You may be familiar with email and text scams from fraudsters claiming you missed jury duty or owe traffic fines or road tolls. Immediate payment is demanded, or they threaten you’ll be arrested, your driver’s license suspended, yada, yada, yada.
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When such messages are sent by email, they’re called “phishing.” Those sent by text are “smishing.”
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Many victims fall for these scams because the convincing messages look and sound like the government agencies they supposedly represent. Plus they play on fear and urgency.
Well, criminals have stepped up to a new level of sophistication.
If you plan to build, remodel, make additions, or otherwise change the use of your property, you may need to obtain permits and/or licenses. When a business or individual applies, the information filed for those projects is publicly available and can be accessed by criminals. That includes the property address, as well as actual code numbers for required permits.
In some states (like Florida), even a change as small as replacing a window requires permits, inspections, and, of course, fees.
Zoning and licensing departments are usually backed up, causing delays in project completion while the property owner waits for inspections and re-inspections before they receive approval to continue.
So it’s not surprising to receive an email that appears to originate from these agencies demanding fees. If you don’t pay immediately, they warn your project will be delayed, disapproved, and blocked.
Anyone who’s ever built a house or developed property understands the frustration of constant delays, as well as fees on top of fees on top of more fees.
Criminals are quick to recognize new profit opportunities. Permit and license scams are among the latest.
The FBI issued a public service announcement on March 9, 2026, warning about the recent rising trend of phishing emails from criminals impersonating government departments.
According to the PSA:
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The emails contain detailed, accurate information about planning and zoning requests, including property addresses, case numbers, and the true names of city and county officials.
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The emails use professional language, formatting, and imagery consistent with legitimate government communications for planning and zoning applications, including review processes, planning commission procedures, regulatory compliance, and relevant ordinances.
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The email addresses contain usernames similar to city or county planning and zoning departments but originate from non-governmental domains, such as “@usa.com”
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Email delivery may be timed to coincide with ongoing communications with city and county officials regarding the permitting process.
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Attached PDF invoices contain itemized statements of purported fees and direct applicants to request payment instructions via email, rather than telephone, to ensure a reliable audit trail for all correspondence related to the application. This is designed to deter the victim from calling the city or county office to verify the fees.
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The emails emphasize urgency, threatening delays or other obstacles in the permitting process if the applicant does not immediately render payment.
So how do you determine if an email is real or fraudulent?
- If they demand payment by wire transfer, peer-to-peer payment service, or cryptocurrency, it is a fraud. Government agencies do not require these methods. But criminals love them because funds can’t be traced, and you can’t recover your money.
- Check the actual website (NOT the link in the email). You may find the agency has posted warnings with updates about new scams.
- Call the agency using the phone number listed on their official website (NOT a number from the email). Find out if fees are actually due.
Some agencies even reach out proactively to warn of scams. For instance, a few days ago, I received an email from the Montana Secretary of State who handles business licenses. She warned impersonators were making bogus demands for fees from business owners.
Since her email didn’t ask for money, I knew it was genuine!
The FBI adds:
If you or someone you know has fallen victim to this impersonation scam, file a complaint with the IC3 at www.ic3.gov. Be sure to include any available information including:
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The email address, date of email, phone number, if provided;
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The date of your project’s scheduled hearing, if applicable; and,
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The amount listed in the fraudulent invoice, the method requested to pay fees, and bank account information, if provided.
Under the best circumstances, the permit and licensing process is glacial in speed.
Unfortunately, in some instances, internal corruption means shakedowns and bribes are required before a project moves forward. Remember The Sopranos?
Now phishing scams will mire systems even more as people call to find out if notices are fakes. Plus agencies must field complaints from victims who’ve been defrauded.
Ironically, so-called “artificial” intelligence is being used to create scams that appear increasingly real.
Credit: Andrea Pokrzywinski
As AI improves, new phishing emails may not smell as phishy as older versions but they still are frauds (phrauds?).
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TKZers: Have you encountered phishing or smishing?
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In Stalking Midas, glamorous con artist Cassandra Maza doesn’t need AI. Instead, she uses charm and flattery to ensnare her latest prey: a cranky senior who loves his nine rescue cats. Then investigator Tawny Lindholm uncovers the scam. Cassandra has killed before and each time it gets easier. Now Tawny is in her sights.
I’ve encountered smishing scams many times, mainly about unpaid tolls. Whenever I receive one, I go straight to my EZPass account to make sure the toll was deducted from my account. They look SO real these days, but I’m suspicious of every unknown text I receive. Pays to be a crime writer. 😉
Meant to add: Thanks for the warning about permits, Debbie! I’ll need to pull permits once the weather cooperates.
We crime writers are a suspicious lot, aren’t we, Sue? That’s good and unfortunately necessary protection in today’s world.
Logos and impersonations are often indistinguishable from actual entities. Clicking on a link in an email or text is always risky. Safer to go directly to the source of the official websites and phone listings.
Best of luck with your home improvements!
I am the IT Guy. I see them almost every day. Never send money in reply to a text or email. LOOK UP the agency listed. The bad actor set up a fake phone number when they set up the scam.
Learn to read the real email. For most web or phone email clients the real email address will be visible if you hover over the name. Then read right to left. Most phishing uses an email server outside of the US, so the most right side is the country code. When in doubt, look it up. Then wonder why your city’s zoning office is using a Polish mail server.
Know what you are doing and where you have been. I haven’t been in Tennessee in a decade, so I am not paying any toll fees no matter what you say in the text.
Be careful out there.
Alan, as always, your comments add excellent tips from a trusted expert. Thanks so much!
I didn’t know about reading an email address from right to left to determine origin. Great info!
Good morning Deb. Thank you for the thorough discussion on this pervasive annoyance that can lead to financial loss, anxiety and costly IT consultation. I recently I answered a cell phone call with local area code but unknown phone number and experienced the failure to appear for grand jury duty scam. The caller was realistic, knew my address, was demanding, intimidating, and reported two warrants for my appearance with a $4500 charge to avoid arrest. A friend recently clicked on a virus warning from “Microsoft”. Soon, he as talking to techs who were gaining access to his computer to “remove the virus.” His wife heard what was happening and shut off his computer. They had to lock bank and stock accounts, change passwords and call their IT consultant. He informed them another client with a similar story had recently lost thousands. I spoke with law enforcement who confirmed the jury duty scam and, as Deb said, they directed me to report the incident to the FBI.
Betty, thanks for sharing your experience and those of friends. Glad the criminals didn’t win.
These scams are getting so sophisticated that they’re difficult to detect even for exceptionally intelligent, well-informed people.
I’ve also received many smishing scams—the toll road; the USPS has been unable to deliver your package, please pay here one; the FedEx version, the UPS version etc.
We don’t have toll roads or toll bridges here in Oregon yet, so that’s a dead giveaway, and I have USPS, FedEx and UPS online accounts I use to track actual packages headed my way.
Oregon Public Broadcasting radio ran tips recently from a business reporter about IRS scams, which now come in many flavors. The bottom line with these is the IRS will never call, text, or email you, at least initially with a case, they use the US Mail.
Dale, IRS scams go way up during tax season b/c people expect refunds or are concerned they owe taxes.
I’m glad the IRS still uses USPS to send notifcations about taxes. These other methods of communication are too easy to corrupt.
Thanks for the info! Scams are everywhere these days, more’s the pity. I get the standard late fee texts from “the state” about tolls or ticket violations. Since I’ve never been ticketed in the state I live, and use back roads to avoid tolls and to enjoy the scenery, I ignore them completely, only hitting the report and block option. However, about a year and a half ago, I got a very interesting one. I was looking for work and wanted to work exclusively in a work-from-home position. There are a lot of scams for this situation so I was prepared for them. I got one from a company that appeared legit. I went to the company’s web site and noted the job openings, etc. It was a cold call from them, but not unheard of in my experience. I went through the initial phases which didn’t trip any red flags for me. I got an immediate offer with standard paperwork, etc. I was moving slowly because the offer amount was a surprise, just over six figures for an entry level support job. Then, they were going to come into my home and redesign my work space to be ergonomically spectacular, and bring my computer set up to over the top speed and response. There reason was so I would be completely comfortable in my work environment and they wouldn’t be liable for any work related injuries. Before I could wrap my mind around this generous offer (because who doesn’t want a free top of the line computer set up in their home?), I got an email requesting a short conference. I spoke to a gentleman whose name I wrote down because I’m a suspenders and belt person. He then talked about the team coming into my home in two days time to rebuild my space. I’d only started this process two days before, so this was moving fast. I expressed my concern about that, and he replied they were trying to get the support system in place for a new product quickly. Although I was hesitant and a little suspicious, I continued talking with him until he said the magic phrase: We’re having some difficulty with the company that’s going to set up the office for you. What we need for you to do is write them a check for the installation, and we’ll reimburse you directly to your bank account. I stopped all communications with them. I went back to their emails and looked more closely at the address and it didn’t line up with the actual company’s email. I contacted the support team’s email and sent a message outlining everything that happened. They got back to me telling me that their support was only for in-building members and there were no remote positions. Someone higher up contacted me and requested copies of all the email communications so they could hopefully track them down. Then they all apologized to me profusely and were glad I hadn’t got trapped into their scam. One guy wanted to hire me if I was willing to move to Ohio, but I wasn’t. The funniest part of the whole thing was when the original contact email me about a week later stating that since I wasn’t responding to their emails any longer, they were withdrawing the “offer” and were extremely unhappy with the course I’d chosen. So wins all around.
Joe, you sure dodged a bullet with those criminals. Urgency is one sign of a scam. They pressure you into quick action—hurry up or you’ll miss out.
Difficult economic times lead to a rise in employment scans. Also cybercurrency, precious metals, and other so-called investments.
Attorney Steve Weisman, writes Scamicide.com, a great watchdog site. I often quote Steve for True Crime Thursdays. He always advises: “B.S. Be skeptical.”
If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
Great warning, Debbie. Thanks for the info on IC3. At least we have somewhere to report.
The phishermen are very good at dangling the bait in front of an unsuspecting victim. Let’s hope they all get caught in their own net, thrown in prison, and fed a diet of nothing but gefilte fish for the rest of their slimy lives. 🤢
Kay, I always look forward to your imaginative punishments for criminals!
My Internet provider and gas company send me a bill each month via email at my request. Anyone else, especially politicians, who asks for money is considered a scam.
I was tempted to digress into a lengthy post about politicians asking for money but out of the goodness of my heart, I’ll spare you. 😉
We thank you for the goodness of your heart, Marshall 😉
Since many people use their phones to pay bills, weeding out the fraudulent ones becomes increasingly difficult, esp. when they can appear identical to the legitimate entity.
Thanks, Debbie…good info.
I get those toll fee scams all the time. Evidently the bad guy doesn’t know I live in Central Buttscratch WA…not a toll highway within 150 miles or so, and we hardly ever travel.
I got my first author/book scam the other day. And because I frequent the learned folks here at TKZ, I didn’t fall for it. Bad guy or gal said how wonderful my book is, and they could “help” me market it, but never once mentioned the title.
Even though it was scammy, I felt I’d “arrived”.
😂
Have a scamless day!
Deb, you have truly arrived as an author when scammers decide you’re worth targeting.
Wait until you receive emails with your name, book title, specific character details, and plot twists.
If the wording sounds familiar, that’s cuz AI pulled quotes from your book description, reader reviews, and marketing posts on social media.
Oh yeah, they add massive helpings of flattery—how they haven’t been able to stop thinking about your stunning, luminescent prose b/c it truly spoke to their heart…as if chatbots have hearts.
One really helpful bot claimed my book resonated so deeply that he/she/it/they thought about it while he/she/it/they were washing dishes. I responded with a warm invitation to join me at my sink but so far no one has showed up.
🫣😂🤡