Mason City, IA – Residents in Cerro Gordo County are being warned today after a new scam surfaced targeting individuals who recently submitted planning or zoning applications.
According to the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office, scammers are sending official-looking e-mails to applicants listed on upcoming Board of Adjustment agendas, falsely claiming they must pay an application approval fee via wire transfer. The fraudulent e-mails reportedly include personal details pulled directly from the legitimate applications, including case numbers, applicant names, and specific project information—making the messages appear authentic.
The Sheriff’s Office said the scammers are deliberately targeting people whose applications are scheduled for public review, attempting to pressure them into sending money before their hearings. County officials emphasized that Cerro Gordo County does not request wire transfers for planning or zoning matters, and any e-mail making such a request should be considered fraudulent.
Residents who receive one of these messages are urged not to reply or send any payment. Instead, they should contact the Cerro Gordo County Planning and Zoning Commission directly to confirm the message is fake. Officials said this verification step is the safest way to ensure residents are communicating with legitimate county departments.
Deputy Zach Lensing noted that the Sheriff’s Office is working with county officials to monitor reports of the scam and to remind residents that all official fee requests follow standard county billing procedures—never wire transfers.
Authorities are encouraging residents to report suspicious messages and to alert neighbors or business owners who recently filed applications, as those individuals are most likely to be targeted.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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