‘Urgent alert’: Napa County officials warn residents of phishing scam

(KRON) — Napa County leaders have posted an “urgent alert” of scammers posing as city officials and demanding money from local business owners and residents. So far, victims have been scammed out of thousands of dollars.

County leaders said the phishing scam impersonates Planning, Building, and Environmental Services Department staff and asks for wire transfers or payments for permits or applications.

“These emails appear legitimate at first, but they are fraudulent,” said Napa County in a social media post, which also listed several ways to protect oneself from becoming a victim:

• Make sure to verify the sender’s email address
• Never send payment or personal information via email unless you know the request is real
• If an email looks off to you, do not reply or click links or attachments
• When in doubt, contact Napa County government leaders only using numbers or email addresses listed on the County’s website. Planning, Building, and Environmental Services can be reached directly at (707) 253-4417 or emailing ‘planning@countyofnapa.org.’