FBI Phishing Scam Warning: Palm Beach County Permits

The FBI is warning Palm Beach County residents about a phishing scam targeting people who apply for building, planning and zoning permits.

Scammers pose as city and county officials in emails requesting fees through wire transfers, peer-to-peer payment apps or cryptocurrency. They mine publicly available permit information from government databases to make their messages appear legitimate, referencing actual permit details and real official names.

The FBI advises permit applicants to verify any fee request directly with their local government office before sending money. Call the appropriate city or county department using phone numbers from official government websites, not contact information in suspicious emails.

Anyone who suspects they've been targeted should report the scam to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center and contact local law enforcement.