Public Advisory: Ongoing Permit & Zoning Fee Scam Targeting Residents and Businesses
December 28, 2025December 28, 2025
Public Advisory: Ongoing Permit & Zoning Fee Scam Targeting Residents and Businesses
The Massachusetts State Police – Commonwealth Fusion Center is seeing an increase in highly convincing scam emails impersonating local permitting and zoning offices. These messages use real staff names, official-looking logos, and detailed invoices to trick applicants into sending fraudulent payments.
What the Scam Looks Like
Scammers may send emails that:
Claim your permit or application has been “approved pending payment.”
Attach a realistic-looking invoice with fees such as application review, processing, or public notice.
Request wire transfers, ACH payments, or “settlement instructions” via email.
Urge you to reply directly to the message to get payment details.
Insist that check payments are not accepted and that delays could impact your permit.
These messages often appear legitimate and may reference:
Real project details
Real employee names
Real municipal terminology
Important Reminder
Local permitting offices do not request payments through personal email accounts, wire transfers, or external payment portals. Payment methods are strictly controlled and follow established municipal procedures.
How to Protect Yourself
Verify the sender. Check that emails come from an official government domain (cityofnewburyport.com or newburyportma.gov) or from our online permitting system, opengov.com.
Do NOT wire money based solely on an email request.
Contact the office directly using the phone number on the city’s official website, not the number provided in the email.
Be cautious with invoices that appear out of nowhere or don’t match your expected fee schedule.
Report suspicious messages immediately.
If You Receive One of These Emails
Do not reply.
Do not send payment.
Report it to your local police department and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3.gov).
Who Is Being Targeted?
Scammers are focusing on:
Homeowners
Contractors
Builders
Engineers and architects
Anyone recently filing or updating a permit application
If you or someone you know is in the permitting process, please share this advisory to help spread awareness. Please report any suspicious activity to your police department of jurisdiction and the Commonwealth Fusion Center at 508-820-2233.
