Battle Creek Warns Residents of Scam Emails Posing as City Planning and Zoning Staff

The City of Battle Creek is alerting residents to be vigilant about scam emails impersonating Planning and Zoning department staff. These fraudulent messages are attempting to trick recipients into sending money through wire transfers.

How the Scam Works

According to the city Information Technology Department, scammers are sending emails that appear to be from Planning and Zoning staff but are actually from various non-official email addresses.

These fraudulent emails:

• Appear to include fraudulent invoices for rezoning application approvals
• Instruct recipients to wire transfer payments
• Request that recipients reply to the email for wire transfer instructions
• Use official-sounding language to appear legitimate

How to Identify Official City Communications

Battle Creek residents should know that all legitimate emails from City of Battle Creek staff end in @battlecreekmi.gov. If you receive an email claiming to be from the city but coming from a different domain, it is likely a scam.

What to Do If You Receive a Suspicious Email

If you receive an email that appears to be from Battle Creek Planning and Zoning staff but seems suspicious:

• Do not reply to the email
• Do not click any links or attachments
• Do not send money or provide payment information
• Verify directly by calling the city at 269-966-3311
• Report the scam to Battle Creek Police Department

Protecting Yourself from Email Scams

Email scams targeting municipal services are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Here are additional tips to protect yourself:

• Always verify unexpected invoices by calling the organization directly using a known phone number
• Check email addresses carefully for slight misspellings or unusual domains
• Be wary of urgent payment requests or threats
• Never wire money to someone you cannot verify

City Response to the Scam

The City of Battle Creek Information Technology Department is actively monitoring for these fraudulent emails and working to protect residents. By raising awareness quickly, the city hopes to prevent residents from falling victim to these scams.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I tell if an email from Battle Creek is legitimate?

All official emails from City of Battle Creek staff end in @battlecreekmi.gov. If the email comes from any other domain, it is not legitimate.

What should I do if I received a suspicious email claiming to be from Battle Creek Planning and Zoning?

Do not reply or click any links. Call the city directly at 269-966-3311 to verify the communication, and report the scam to the Battle Creek Police Department.

What are the scammers asking for in these fake emails?

The fraudulent emails include fake invoices for rezoning application approvals and instruct recipients to wire transfer money by replying to the email for instructions.

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