City warns of fraudulent permit fee emails targeting residents and businesses

The City of Dover is warning residents, contractors, and businesses about a targeted email scam involving fraudulent requests for permit-related payments.

City officials have received reports of individuals and companies receiving emails that appear to come from the City’s Planning and Community Development Department. These messages reference real projects, including property addresses, application details, and permit types, and request payment of fees to advance the approval process. In some cases, the emails include attachments resembling official invoices and use the names of actual City staff.

This scam is part of a broader nationwide trend. The FBI recently issued an alert warning that criminals are impersonating local government officials to solicit fraudulent payments tied to planning and zoning permits. These scams often rely on publicly available information to make the messages appear legitimate and may target individuals or businesses with active permit applications.

How the scam works

Fraudulent emails may:

• Reference real permit applications, including addresses and case numbers
• Use official language, logos, and staff names to appear legitimate
• Request payment via wire transfer, peer-to-peer apps, or cryptocurrency
• Create urgency by warning of delays or complications if payment is not made quickly
• Direct recipients to reply by email rather than contact City staff directly

In recent cases reported locally, emails have originated from non-governmental domains, such as addresses ending in “@usa.com” or similar variations, rather than official City email accounts.

What residents and businesses should know

The City of Dover:

• Will never request permit payments via wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or peer-to-peer payment apps
• Will not request sensitive financial information through unsolicited email
• Will only send official correspondence from a verified @dover.nh.gov email address

How to protect yourself

If you receive an email requesting payment related to a permit:

• Do not click links or open attachments
• Do not send payment or provide financial information
• Verify the request by contacting the City directly using official contact information
• Be cautious of email addresses that do not match official City domains
• Watch for messages that create urgency or discourage phone verification

Other communities across New Hampshire and the country are reporting similar scams and are advising the public to independently verify all payment requests with municipal offices before taking action.

What to do if you receive a suspicious email

Anyone who receives a suspicious email related to a permit or City service is encouraged to contact the Dover Planning Department at 603-516-6008 to verify its legitimacy.

If you believe you have been targeted or have already provided payment, report the incident to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov or contact the Dover Police Department at 603-742-4646.

City officials urge the public to remain vigilant. While these emails may appear convincing, taking a moment to verify the source can prevent financial loss and protect sensitive information.