FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued a public service announcement warning communities nationwide about criminals impersonating city and county officials to fraudulently solicit payments related to planning and zoning permits.

In January, a Cumberland County resident reported receiving one of these fraudulent emails. With the FBI confirming this as part of a broader criminal scheme, the County is urging residents, businesses and developers to exercise caution when receiving emails regarding planning and zoning activities.

These fraudulent emails may appear legitimate, using County letterhead, seals or even the names of actual officials. Recipients are advised not to rely on these elements as proof of authenticity.

Common warning signs may include:

• Unexpected or urgent requests for payment

• Email addresses that do not match official county domains

• Spelling, grammar, or formatting inconsistencies

• Links directing to unfamiliar or suspicious websites

Residents are encouraged to review the FBI’s full public service announcement for indicators of fraudulent activity and tips to protect themselves at www.ic3.gov/PSA/2026/PSA260309.

Reporting and Verification Resources:

• Suspicious requests involving land‑use permits or other planning and zoning activities should be verified through the Cumberland County Planning & Inspections Department at 910-678-7600.

• Possible scam emails may be reported to the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM or 910-716-6000. Related incidents may also be reported to the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office at 910-323-1500.

• Incidents suspected to involve criminal activity may be reported to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at www.ic3.gov.

For more information about programs and services offered by the Cumberland County Planning & Inspections Department, visit cumberlandcountync.gov/planning.