OTTUMWA — The City of Ottumwa is warning residents and business owners about a scam in which criminals impersonate Planning and Zoning officials to solicit fraudulent permit fees. The FBI has identified this scheme nationwide, and City staff has confirmed at least one area attempt.

Criminals use publicly available permit information, including property addresses, case numbers, and real officials’ names, to send convincing emails demanding payment by wire transfer, peer-to-peer payment, or cryptocurrency. In the Ottumwa case, the email appeared to come from the “City of Ottumwa City Planning Commission,” cited a real application, and told the recipient to reply by email rather than call to verify the charge. The sender’s address was not an official City of Ottumwa domain.

The City does not request permit fees by email and will never demand payment exclusively by wire transfer, app, or cryptocurrency. Anyone receiving an unexpected permit invoice should not click links or send funds but should call the City of Ottumwa Planning and Development Office at 641-683-0650 or 641-683-0610.