Skokie phishing scam warning: don’t pay permit fees by wire or crypto, Village says

The Village of Skokie is warning residents and permit applicants about a phishing scam in which criminals impersonate Village staff and try to get people to pay fraudulent “permit fees” through unusual payment channels.

In a notice posted July 9, 2026, the Village said it has become aware of fraudulent emails circulating locally that falsely claim to come from Village employees. The Village said the scheme matches an emerging nationwide phishing pattern described by the FBI: criminals use publicly available information to identify potential victims and send fraudulent invoices for fees related to planning and zoning permits.

What the scam emails are trying to do

According to the Village, the messages push recipients to make payments via wire transfer, peer-to-peer payment apps, or cryptocurrency. The Village’s key point for residents: if you get a payment request, don’t assume it’s legitimate just because it looks like it came from Village staff.

The Village’s red line: wire transfer and crypto

The Village of Skokie says it will never ask applicants to pay permit fees by wire transfer or cryptocurrency. If you receive a payment request and you’re unsure whether it is real, treat it as a red flag and verify it before you send any money.

How to verify a suspicious payment request

If an email asks you to pay permit-related “fees,” Skokie advises:

• Don’t assume a message is legitimate just because it appears to come from “Village staff.”
• Speak with your Village point of contact directly or call the Village at 847-933-8223 to verify the request.
• Note that the Village also redacts applicant email addresses on certain documents posted online to help prevent fraud.

How to report suspected scams in Skokie

If you receive a fraudulent payment request, the Village says to report it to the Skokie Police Department. For non-emergency reporting, call 847-982-5900.

The Village also encourages residents to report phishing attempts to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). IC3 advises filing a complaint with as much detail as possible, including information about the scam contacts and companies, the payment instructions used, and links/emails or other documentation from the communications.

Bottom line for permit applicants

When a message claims it’s about Skokie permit fees, slow down and verify. If the request steers you toward wire transfer or cryptocurrency, assume it’s not legitimate—then report it to Skokie Police and the FBI’s IC3.

Sources

• Village of Skokie (News Flash): “Scam Alert: Beware of Phishing Emails”
• FBI IC3: “Tech Support and Government Impersonation” (government impersonation + scam red flags)
• U.S. Department of Justice Criminal Division: “Beware of Scammers”