Scammers are sending fake invoices disguised as City of Alpharetta emails to people who have filed public hearing applications, the city warned on Monday, Nov. 2.
The fraudulent emails request payment for permits or services and are made to look official, according to a city alert. They may include city logos, staff names and project details pulled from public records.
"Scammers are using publicly available information to make the messages appear legitimate," the Alpharetta Police Department said, according to Patch.
The scammers may be monitoring public meeting agendas to identify and directly contact applicants, police said.
How to spot a fake
The city listed several red flags residents should watch for:
- Check the sender's address. Official city emails always end in @alpharetta.ga.us. Any other domain is a warning sign.
- Watch for wire transfer requests. The city does not use wire transfers for Community Development fees. An invoice asking for payment by wire transfer is fraudulent.
- Be suspicious of unsolicited attachments or links. Treat unexpected PDFs or clickable links as potential threats.
If a suspicious email arrives, do not respond or send payment, police said. Verify the request directly with the city before sharing any information or money.
Investigation underway
The Alpharetta Police Department said it is working with law enforcement partners to investigate the scam. The city said other local governments across the region have received reports of similar schemes.
Neither the city nor police have disclosed how many people have been targeted or whether anyone has lost money.
Residents who receive a suspicious email or have questions can contact Alpharetta Community Development at (678) 297-6070.
