Alpharetta, Georgia – The City of Alpharetta is warning residents, businesses and developers to take a closer look before paying any bill that appears to be connected to a public hearing application.
City officials said a scam is targeting people involved in the public hearing process, with fraudulent emails designed to look as if they came from Alpharetta. The messages may include fake invoices and requests for payment tied to permits or city services. Some are made to appear convincing by using official-looking logos, staff names and project details that can be taken from public records.
The city’s message is simple: slow down, check carefully and do not assume an email is real just because it includes familiar information. As officials noted, “the scammers aren’t clever, they just hope you aren’t paying attention.”
One of the clearest warning signs is the sender’s email address. Official City of Alpharetta emails always end with @alpharetta.ga.us. Anything that looks similar but uses a different ending should be treated as suspicious.
Residents and applicants are also being urged to watch for payment requests that do not match normal city practices. Fraudulent emails may include invoices or ask for money to be sent by wire transfer. The city said it does not use wire transfers for Community Development fees.
Unexpected attachments, links or PDF files should also raise concern, especially if they arrive without warning or pressure the recipient to act quickly. City officials are advising people not to click on suspicious links, open unknown attachments or send payment before confirming the request directly with Alpharetta Community Development.
The warning comes as local governments across the region are seeing similar scams. Officials said scammers often review public meeting agendas and then use that information to contact applicants directly, making the emails appear more personal and believable.
Alpharetta said it is working with law enforcement to investigate the scheme and protect the community from further attempts. Anyone who receives a suspicious email connected to permits, public hearings or Community Development fees should contact Alpharetta Community Development at 678-297-6070.
For official permitting information, residents can visit the city’s Planning & Zoning page. Fraud may also be reported to the Georgia Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team at 404-651-8600 or through the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center.
