Douglas County, NV – Douglas County officials are alerting residents to a fraudulent email scam that falsely claims to originate from the County Planning Department and requests payment for permit approval fees.
The scam email informs recipients that their “Special Use Permit application” has been approved and instructs them to complete payment via wire transfer or ACH. It urges recipients to reply directly to the email to obtain payment instructions and emphasizes that communication must remain “via email only.”
This communication is not legitimate.
County departments do not request sensitive financial transactions such as wire transfers or ACH payments solely through unsolicited email, nor do they require applicants to reply to email messages to receive payment instructions.
Key Warning Signs of the Scam
Residents should be aware of the following red flags present in this fraudulent message:
- Unexpected approval notices for permits or applications you did not submit
- Requests for wire transfer or ACH payments, especially with urgency
- Instructions to reply directly to the email for payment details
- Pressure to act quickly to “finalize” or “release” permits
- Email-only communication requirements, discouraging phone or in-person verification
- Generic or overly formal language that does not match typical County correspondence
How to Protect Yourself
Douglas County encourages residents to take the following precautions:
- Do not send money or financial information in response to unsolicited emails
- Verify directly with the County using official contact information from the County website
- Do not reply to suspicious emails or click on attachments or links
- Check the sender’s email address carefully—fraudulent messages often mimic official addresses
- Consult County staff by phone or in person if you have an active application
What to Do If You Receive This Email
If you receive a message similar to this scam:
- Do not respond or provide any information
- Report the email to [email protected]
- Delete the message after reporting
- If you have already sent payment or personal information, contact your bank immediately and report the incident to local law enforcement
Official County Payment Procedures
Douglas County emphasizes that legitimate fees:
- Are clearly documented through official channels
- Can be verified independently through County staff
- Do not require urgent payment via unsecured or unverifiable methods
- Typically offer multiple secure payment options, not limited to wire transfer
Stay Informed
Scammers often tailor messages to appear highly specific and convincing. Residents are urged to remain cautious and verify any unexpected communication involving permits, fees, or financial transactions.
For questions or to verify the status of an application, residents should contact Douglas County directly. For questions or to verify the legitimacy of Community Development emails, please contact our Public Counter by calling 775-782-6200 Option #1 (Hours: Monday - Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) or email [email protected].