Portage, MI – Residents and business owners in Portage are being warned today about a nationwide email scam that is now targeting the local community, according to city officials and police.
According to the Portage Department of Public Safety, scammers are sending emails that appear to come from local planning and zoning departments. The messages allegedly request payment related to land use permits or rezoning applications and often use urgent language to pressure recipients into acting quickly.
Authorities say the emails are fraudulent and may include sender addresses resembling official government accounts, such as variations ending in @usa.com. Some messages request wire transfers or direct email payments — a major red flag.
City officials emphasized that official City of Portage emails always end in @portagemi.gov, and the city uses its InvoiceCloud portal for legitimate payments. Any request for money outside those systems should be treated as suspicious.
Police urge residents and businesses who receive one of these emails to not send money, not click on links, and not open attachments. Instead, recipients should independently verify the request by contacting the City of Portage directly using a trusted phone number or official website.
Scams impersonating government agencies have increased nationwide, often targeting property owners, contractors, and small businesses that regularly interact with municipal departments. Officials say the messages are designed to look convincing and may include official-sounding language or formatting.
Anyone who believes they may have received or interacted with a scam email is encouraged to report it and monitor their financial accounts for unusual activity.
Residents with questions or concerns are advised to contact the City of Portage directly.
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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