Minneapolis City leaders are warning residents about the latest scam targeting permit and zoning applicants. Individuals and businesses with active land-use permits or zoning applications are being asked to pay bogus fees in order to complete the process. Victims are being reported nationwide, which prompted the FBI to release an official public service announcement earlier this week to warn of the phishing scam.

The City of Minneapolis knows of at least 15 emails over the last year to people who have active land use or zoning applications with the City. While planning officials are not aware of anyone who has fallen victim to the scam, they still urge extreme caution when receiving emails like these. 

“It’s a shame that these crooks are attempting to prey on people who wish to invest in and build up our City,” said Planning Director Meg McMahan, Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) for the City of Minneapolis. “It’s important that people stay vigilant. We want them to trust their gut if something feels off. There are many of these fake invoices that we may not even know about.”

Scam details

Scammers pose as City or county planning and zoning officials. Information includes:

• An email with fake invoices associated with land use or zoning applications
• Instructions to pay fees right away or face delays or cancellations in the process
• Formatting and imagery that are closely consistent with City or county branding and processes
• Emails from similar City or county usernames but @usa.com
• Correspondence usually timed to coincide with ongoing, legitimate milestones in the permit process, like a hearing or committee approval

City process and reporting scams

Any legitimate City email correspondence will come from an official @minneapolismn.gov address, and the City will never ask for payment via PayPal or other wire transfer, gift card or other electronic methods.

If a request seems suspicious, do not respond, download attachments or click any links. lso recommends calling 311 to report the suspected scam; operators can then alert the proper City departments.

Learn more about Minneapolis planning and permit processes on CPED's Planning page.