PWC Government Warns Of Scam Emails Appearing To Come From These Departments

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA – The Prince William County government is warning residents to beware of fraudulent emails claiming to come from the county’s planning authorities.

According to a county press release, the emails claim to be from Prince William County’s Planning Office or Planning Commission. They might appear legitimate because they use publicly available information to mimic official county communications. The county shows a sample of one of these emails here.

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Some of these emails might ask recipients to submit payments or provide financial information related to planning applications or services. The county stresses that the Planning Office and Planning Commission will never email requests for payment by wire transfer, credit card or Automated Clearing House (ACH), and that all official county email communications are sent from addresses ending in @pwcgov.org.

Anyone with questions about the authenticity of an email that appears to be from the county should contact the Prince William County Planning Office at (703) 792-7615 before responding, providing personal information or making any payment. Anyone who believes they’ve gotten a fraudulent email is requested to report it to the Prince William County Police Department through its online reporting system at pwcva.gov/onlinereport.

To guard against email fraud, the county recommends that residents:

• Verify senders' email addresses. Official county emails will always come from an address ending in @pwcgov.org.

• View payment requests as potentially fraudulent. Don't respond to emails requesting payment through wire transfer, credit card or ACH.

• Confirm invoices directly with the county and contact the planning office before making any payments if you have doubts.

For more information about Prince William County Planning Office services, visit pwcva.gov/planning.