BERNALILLO COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) –Bernalillo County’s Planning and Development Services Department warned community members about an ongoing email scam.
Officials said the scam directs residents to wire thousands of dollars to an off-site email address so that their zoning application before the county can go forward.
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County personnel became aware of the scam in early January after community members received an email from someone pretending to be from the county’s Planning & Zoning Commission.
The scam operation is using constituents’ personal information believed to be found on meeting agendas available on the county’s website, bernco.gov, as part of the official public record, the county said in a news release.
“The county wants to remind the public to be extra vigilant about potential online or email-based scams involving county business,” said Planning and Development Services Director Nick Hamm in a news release. “If there is any doubt about the legitimacy of a county document, please feel free to contact us to verify legitimate communication. County fees for permit applications are only accepted on bernco.gov or in person at county offices. They’re never requested via bank wire.”
Bernalillo County is working with law enforcement agencies to take action and is contacting individuals who have received similar scam emails.
Any correspondence from Bernalillo County will come from a .gov email address. For questions about the authenticity of any communication, to report any suspected scam emails, or to verify the legitimacy of required county fees, call 505-468-7777.