Schaumburg, IL – Residents and business owners in Schaumburg and surrounding northwest suburbs are being warned today about a growing email scam that impersonates local government planning and zoning departments, potentially costing victims hundreds or thousands of dollars.
According to the Village of Schaumburg and the Center for Internet Security (CIS), scammers are sending emails that appear to come from legitimate local or county planning and zoning agencies. These messages typically request payment for fake land-use applications, zoning fees, or permit renewals and are designed to closely resemble official government communications.
Officials say the scam has been reported nationwide, not just in Illinois, and targets both homeowners and small businesses—especially those that may regularly interact with municipal departments. The emails often create urgency, pressuring recipients to submit payment quickly to avoid penalties or delays.
Authorities stress that legitimate government agencies do not request payments through unsolicited emails. Residents are encouraged to verify any message claiming to be from a government entity by checking the sender’s email address carefully. Official communications will come from verified government domains, not free or unfamiliar email services.
Anyone who receives a suspicious message is advised not to click links, download attachments, or send payment. Instead, residents should contact their local village or county office directly using phone numbers listed on official websites.
Local officials also recommend reporting suspected scam emails to local authorities or cybersecurity agencies to help track and stop the spread of fraudulent activity.
Residents in Schaumburg, Cook County, and the greater Chicago metro area are urged to remain vigilant as scammers continue to adapt their tactics.
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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