The City of West Des Moines wants to alert residents and businesses about ongoing fraudulent email scams targeting individuals who have applied for city permits. These scam emails may contain details pulled from public records, including your address or application number, but they also include fake invoices with inflated fees and requests for wire transfers.
It is important to remember that the City of West Des Moines will never request payment for permits or fees via wire transfer, gift card, or cryptocurrency through unsolicited emails.
To help protect yourself from these scams, please follow these guidelines:
- Verify Authenticity: If you're unsure about the legitimacy of a payment request, verify it with the City directly before taking any action. Reach out to our office at 515-222-3601.
- Do Not Engage: If you receive a suspicious invoice, do not click on any links, download attachments, or send any payments.
- Recognize Warning Signs:
- Check for minor typos or public email domains.
- Be cautious of emails that address you as "Dear Customer" instead of using your name.
- Legitimate sources will not ask for sensitive information like your social security number or bank details via email.
- Scammers often pressure you to act quickly, claiming that otherwise, your application will be denied.
- A demand for payment via wire transfer is a strong indicator of fraud.
- Report Suspicious Emails: If you encounter any fraudulent emails claiming to be from the City of West Des Moines, please delete them immediately and report them to our office.
This is a nationwide phishing scam. For more information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation regarding this scam, please visit www.ic3.gov/PSA/2026/PSA260309. For further assistance, contact our Finance Department at 515-222-3601.
