On January 9, 2026, we were made aware of scam emails that impersonate City departments and request fraudulent payments.
These fraudulent messages may appear official, using logos or language meant to look authentic, but they are not from the City. These scams are particularly convincing because they use publicly available information and mirror the timing and language of legitimate City processes.
Example of the Invoice Scam:
Emails have been sent from "Planning.LafayetteCityCA@usa.com" or similar, falsely claiming to be from the City of Lafayette or Planning Commission. The messages reference a real property address and project type, pulled from public information, and included a fake invoice PDF attachment for various fees such as:
- Application Review & Processing
- Zoning & Compliance Assessment
- Public Notification & Documentation
The emails instruct the recipient to reply for wire transfer instructions and to return a signed invoice and payment receipt via email. Emails also falsely claim that payment is required to proceed with next steps on the application.
What to Do if you Receive a Similar Email:
If you receive any suspicious communication claiming to be from the City, do not respond or send payment. Instead, contact the City directly using verified phone numbers or our official website, www.love.lafayette.org.
- Do not reply, click links, or send payment.
- Verify sender addresses carefully: Official City emails end in @ci.lafayette.ca.us or @lovelafayette.org.
- Contact the City directly using trusted phone numbers:
Main Office: (925) 284-1968
Planning Department: (925) 284-1976
Public Works & Engineering Department: (925) 284-1951
The City of Lafayette will never request payment by wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. Legitimate City invoices and payment requests are sent only from official City email addresses, and staff are always available by phone or in person. When online payments are offered, they are processed through secure platforms such as Square. While this scam is currently targeting applicants to City departments, similar tactics are used in many types of fraud. Scammers often use techniques designed to pressure or confuse recipients.
How to Spot a Scam – General Scam Awareness Tips:
To protect yourself, keep the following red flags in mind:
- False sense of urgency: Scammers may claim your account is at risk or urgent action is required to push you into quick decisions.
- Unusual payment methods: Any demand for wire transfers, cryptocurrency or gift cards is a strong sign of fraud.
- Requests for sensitive information: A legitimate business will never ask for your password, PIN, or one-time codes via phone or text.
- Suspicious language: Watch for spelling errors, awkward phrasing, or inconsistent formatting. These are common clues that the email is not legitimate.
- Unrecognized senders or links: Verify the sender’s email address carefully and avoid clicking links if anything looks unusual.
While this scam is currently targeting applicants to City departments, similar techniques are used across many types of fraud. Reviewing these general warning signs can help you recognize and avoid scams in other contexts as well. Sharing this information helps protect our entire community.
