Greeley warns permit applicants of fake invoices and fine threats

The City of Greeley is warning permit and land use applicants about scammers who send fake invoices and threaten fines to pressure them into making payments.

The city recently received a report of a fraudulent message targeting an applicant with an active land use case. The message appears to have used publicly available application information to look legitimate, the city said.

All official city communications will use email addresses ending in @greeleygov.com, the city said. An applicant's name, project address or case number does not confirm that a message came from the city.

The city urges residents to make all permit payments through its official eTRAKiT portal. It does not request wire transfers for any payments. It emails invoices only when contractors or homeowners request them.

For a payment request tied to a land use application, the city advises applicants to contact the staff member handling their case, using previously verified contact information.

Residents who receive a suspicious invoice or payment request can verify it by calling 970-350-9830 or emailing [email protected], the city said.

The city described the scam as a nationwide one that impersonates local governments.