Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — The Orange Beach Police Department is warning residents and local contractors about a new email scam that targets people involved in subdivision and permit applications. The scam messages pretend to be official notices from the City of Orange Beach Planning Commission. They often look professional, include property details, and attach a fake invoice for fees. Police say the emails are not from the city and should not be trusted.

The department has received reports of messages coming from addresses such as planning.orangebeach-al@usa.com and cityoforangebeachplanningcommission@usa.com. Officials stress that these addresses do not belong to the City of Orange Beach. The emails may mention real properties or actual application information, which can make them seem more believable to the recipient.

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According to the alert, the goal of the scam is to trick people into sending money for supposed subdivision or permit-related fees. The fake messages may pressure recipients to act quickly or risk delays in their projects. Police say that while the emails may appear official, they are completely fraudulent and are not connected to any real city process.

City officials are reminding the public that the City of Orange Beach will not request payment through suspicious third-party email accounts. Any request for fees should come through established and verified city channels. Residents and contractors are urged to be cautious when they receive unexpected messages about permits, applications, or invoices.

Authorities advise people not to click links or open attachments in any email they find questionable. They also say people should never send payment information if they are unsure about the source. Instead, residents and contractors should confirm the notice by contacting the city directly using official phone numbers or the city website, which they should reach by typing the address into their browser.

The alert also lays out steps for anyone who receives what appears to be a scam message. Recipients should not reply to the email or engage with the sender in any way. They are encouraged to save the email, take screenshots, and preserve any information that might help an investigation into the scam.

Police are asking residents and contractors who believe they have been targeted to contact the Orange Beach Police Department. The department’s dispatch line can be reached at 251-981-9777. The Orange Beach Police Department is located at 4480 Orange Beach Blvd., Orange Beach, Alabama 36561.

Officials say that public awareness is one of the best defenses against this kind of fraud. By checking contact information, watching for unusual email addresses, and confirming fee requests through verified city channels, residents and contractors can reduce their risk. The department urges the community to share this information with anyone who may be applying for permits or working on local projects.