Chesapeake warns of new email scams impersonating the Planning Department

How it works

You receive an email that looks like it comes from the Planning Department director. The email includes a fake invoice for development project fees. The sender requests payment, relying on the official appearance to trick you into paying.

Red flags to watch for

• Email claims to be from the Planning Department but uses a suspicious email address
• Invoice for development fees you did not request or apply for
• Request for immediate payment via wire transfer or gift card
• Sender's language or formatting differs from official city communications
• Links in the email go to spoofed websites that mimic the real department

What to do

Do not click links or download attachments in the email. If you receive such a message, contact the Planning Department directly using the phone number on the city's official website. Report the scam email to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and to your city government.