Beware Of Scammers Claiming To Be Skokie Officials: FBI

SKOKIE, IL — Skokie is warning residents and applicants about fraudulent emails tied to permit payments after the FBI flagged an emerging nationwide phishing scheme.

The Village of Skokie said criminals are impersonating city and county officials to solicit fraudulent payments for planning and zoning permits.

According to the village, the scheme uses publicly available information to identify potential victims and send fake invoices for fees related to public processes. Those messages instruct victims to make payments through wire transfer, peer-to-peer payment apps or cryptocurrency.

The village said it is aware of fraudulent emails that have circulated locally and falsely claimed to come from Village staff.

Skokie said applicants should be cautious if they receive a payment request connected to a permit or review process. The village stated that it will never ask applicants to pay permit fees by wire transfer or cryptocurrency.

Anyone who is unsure whether a request is legitimate should contact their Village point of contact directly or call the Village at 847-933-8223 to verify it.

The village also outlined steps it is taking to reduce the risk of fraud. According to the officials, applicants are informed about the scam when applications are submitted for review by Village boards and commissions. The village also said it redacts applicant email addresses on certain documents posted online.

Skokie asked residents to report suspicious payment requests so local police can monitor what is happening. The village said reporting incidents helps the Skokie Police Department track local incidents, identify patterns or trends, and support potential investigations.

Residents who receive a fraudulent payment request are asked to contact the Skokie Police Department’s non-emergency number at 847-982-5900.

Community members are also encouraged to report phishing attempts to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.