Staff Report / April 13, 2026
Officials are warning residents about a new scam involving fraudulent emails that appear to come from county planning authorities, targeting individuals involved in local development or zoning projects.
According to authorities, the scam focuses on people who have active applications before the county planning board. Victims receive emails that look official and claim payment is required to move their project forward. In many cases, the messages request money through wire transfers or similar methods.
Officials stress that these emails are not legitimate and are not sent by Yates County. Real county communications will come from official government email addresses ending in “@yatescountyny.gov,” and the planning board does not demand payments or wire transfers as part of its review process.
The scheme mirrors a growing trend seen across the country, where scammers use publicly available planning and zoning information to craft convincing messages that include real project details. These emails often appear highly credible, sometimes referencing property addresses, application numbers, and even the names of local officials.
Authorities say the goal is to pressure recipients into sending money quickly, often by suggesting delays or complications if payment is not made promptly.
Residents who receive suspicious emails are urged not to respond or send funds. Instead, they should contact the Yates County Sheriff’s Office to report the incident. Officials are also encouraging the public to spread awareness, especially among those currently involved in construction, land use, or development projects.
The warning comes amid concerns that similar scams have been reported in neighboring counties, signaling a broader regional—and even national—pattern of fraud targeting planning applicants.
