Lower Merion police warn of fake permit-payment email scam

Lower Merion Police are warning property owners and businesses about a phishing scheme in which scammers pose as township and county zoning officials to collect bogus permit fees.

The department issued the alert on Tuesday, Oct. 6, saying criminals are sending emails that demand payment for building, zoning and land-use permits. The warning was first reported by Patch.

"These messages can look convincing and may include real project details, permit numbers, official names, government-style logos, and fake invoices," police said.

The scheme has already hit close to home. Earlier in 2026, a Lower Merion resident received a fake invoice claiming they owed $4,800 to the township's Building Regulations Division, Patch reported. The township responded at the time by telling residents it will never email billing information or ask anyone to pay an invoice online.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) flagged the tactic in March as an "emerging phishing scheme" with victims identified nationwide. According to the FBI, criminals pull publicly available permit data to craft emails that include accurate property addresses, case numbers and the real names of local officials.

Several red flags can help residents spot the fraud. The FBI noted that sender addresses often use non-governmental domains such as "@usa.com" even though the formatting mimics official letterhead. Attached PDF invoices list itemized fees and direct recipients to request payment instructions by email rather than by phone. The emails also pressure recipients with threats of permit delays if they do not pay immediately.

Payments are requested via wire transfer, peer-to-peer payments or cryptocurrency. No legitimate township office accepts those methods for permit fees.

The scam extends beyond Lower Merion. Washington County, Maryland, and Wellesley, Massachusetts, both issued similar warnings during the same week, consistent with the FBI's description of a nationwide campaign.

Residents who receive a suspicious permit-payment email should call the township directly using the number on its official website to verify any outstanding fees. Anyone who has already sent money can report the incident to Lower Merion Police at 610-649-1000 or file a complaint with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.