If you are renovating your home or waiting on a planning approval, verify where payment requests are coming from before paying any fees.
A nationwide scam is targeting people with open permit and zoning applications. The FBI is warning that fraudsters are posing as local officials and collecting thousands of dollars.
The emails look convincing. They include the property address, details about the project, and even reference the hearing. The email says you have been approved and need to pay a fee to finalize it. It is even signed with the name of a real official, but it is not coming from the city…