Martinsville police on Friday took a phishing scam public, sharing photos of a bogus planning-department invoice and warning residents not to fall for demands to wire money on the spot. The social post showed what looked like an official city bill for $2,000, with neatly itemized fees dressed up as municipal charges. Officials made it clear that city staff do not email, text or call residents to demand instant payment to fix a permit or zoning problem.
What Martinsville Shared
According to the Martinsville Police Department's Facebook post, the scam message used the email address planning‑[email protected] and attached an invoice that spelled out four separate charges: an application review and processing fee of $500, a zoning and compliance assessment for $600, public notification and documentation for $500, and legal and administration fees totaling $400. The document stamps the full $2,000 balance as “due upon receipt” and insists that wire transfer is the only way to pay.
How The Scam Fits A Wider Pattern
Municipal planning offices across the country have been hit by similar phishing campaigns that scrape public records to craft convincing fake invoices and then pressure recipients to wire funds, according to the American Planning Association. In Indiana, officials in multiple counties have issued comparable warnings after nearly identical emails showed up using generic “@usa.com” accounts and wire-transfer instructions, per WBCL.
What Officials Say And Who To Contact
The city’s public notice does not mince words, declaring in all caps, "THIS. IS. A. SCAM." and reminding residents that legitimate government emails come from official city or county domains, not free, generic services. Anyone who receives a suspicious invoice is urged to call Morgan County Dispatch at 765‑342‑5544 or the Martinsville Police Department at 765‑349‑4900 to confirm whether it is real before sending any money, according to the city’s scam alert.
Protect Yourself And Report Fraud
Officials advise residents not to wire money, click on links, or reply to the message. Instead, save the email and report the incident to federal and state authorities. The FTC asks victims to report impersonation scams through its online reporting portal, and the Indiana Attorney General accepts consumer complaints through its digital form. If you have already sent funds, contact your bank immediately and file a police report with the Martinsville Police Department.
