Guilford Warns Permit Applicants of Email Scam Impersonating Town Officials
Fraudulent emails using the official town seal falsely demand wire transfer payments; FBI issued a national advisory on the same scam type on March 9
PublishedMarch 14, 2026
The phishing emails are directed at individuals who have active permit applications with the Planning & Zoning Department or the Inland Wetlands Commission
Guilford Issues Scam Warning for Permit Applicants After Phishing Emails Spotted
The Town of Guilford is warning residents who have filed zoning or permit applications about a phishing scam in which fraudsters impersonate officials from the Planning & Zoning Department and Inland Wetlands Commission, falsely claiming that additional fees must be paid for application approval.
The town issued an initial alert on March 9, 2026. The Guilford Police Department issued an updated warning on March 12, 2026, urging residents to disregard the emails and report any suspicious communications to town staff.
The fraudulent emails appear to be official. They use the correct mailing address for the town's planning agencies and include the official Town of Guilford seal. Town officials say the emails are a scam and that no legitimate communication from these departments will ever request payment by wire transfer.
How the Scam Works
According to the Guilford Police Department, the phishing emails are directed at individuals who have active permit applications with the Planning & Zoning Department or the Inland Wetlands Commission. The emails request payment of an additional fee via wire transfer, framing the payment as necessary for the application to proceed.
The scam emails are designed to appear authentic. They mimic official government correspondence in formatting and include the town seal, making them more convincing than generic phishing attempts. Residents who have recently filed or are in the process of filing applications are at greatest risk of encountering these messages.
The Guilford Police Department confirmed the emails are fraudulent and that the Planning & Zoning Department and Inland Wetlands Commission will never request wire transfer payments. All legitimate fees for permit applications are processed exclusively through the Energov online permitting system.
How to Verify Legitimate Communications
Guilford officials say all authentic emails from the Planning & Zoning Department and Inland Wetlands Commission come from one of two official address formats:
Any email requesting permit payment from a different address — including addresses that appear similar to official domains — should be treated as fraudulent.
Residents who receive a suspicious email should not click any links, not share personal or financial information, take a screenshot of the message, and report it immediately. Town Planner Anne Hartjen can be reached at (203) 453-8032. Inland Wetlands Commission Administrator Kevin Magee can be reached at (203) 453-8146. Town staff will escalate suspicious emails to the Guilford Police Department for investigation.
FBI Issued National Advisory on Same Scam Type
Guilford is not alone. The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center issued a public service announcement on March 9, 2026, warning of a nationwide phishing scheme in which criminals impersonate municipal planning and zoning officials to steal permit fees from applicants.
According to the FBI advisory, scammers obtain real permit details — including property addresses, case numbers, and the names of local officials — to make their emails appear credible. Fraudulent invoices request payment via wire transfer, peer-to-peer payment apps, or cryptocurrency, and often include pressure tactics suggesting the permit will be delayed without immediate payment.
The FBI advised permit applicants nationwide to verify the sender's email address against official government websites, contact municipal offices directly using verified phone numbers when in doubt, and file a complaint at ic3.gov if targeted.
Residents who believe they have already fallen victim to the scam are encouraged to report the incident to both town staff and the FBI's IC3 portal.
