Spotsylvania, VA – County officials are warning residents about a scam email scheme targeting customers with planning and permit applications. The alert was issued this week after a fraudulent message requested payment from a customer claiming to be from Spotsylvania County staff.
According to the county, the customer grew suspicious when the sender’s email did not end with the official domain “@spotsylvania.va.us.” County staff later confirmed the email was illegitimate and took immediate steps to notify the public.
Officials emphasized that Spotsylvania County only accepts payments through InvoiceCloud, accessible from the Treasurer’s or Permit Center webpages. Any requests for payment outside this platform should be treated as fraudulent.
The Sheriff’s Office also shared the warning on social media Friday, labeling it a “Scam Alert” and urging residents to verify any payment request before taking action.
Authorities highlighted several red flags to help spot scams, including urgent payment demands, requests for personal information via email, poor grammar, mismatched email addresses, and suspicious links or attachments. Residents are also advised to be cautious of unusual requests such as wire transfers, prepaid gift cards, or cryptocurrency payments.
Officials encourage anyone receiving questionable emails to verify directly with county departments using phone numbers listed on the official website, rather than responding to suspicious messages. Reports of scams can also be made through county channels.
By remaining alert, officials say residents can protect themselves and their community from fraud.
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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