BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A nationwide scam involving planning and zoning permits has hit Whatcom County.

The county’s Planning and Development Services department says it’s been getting reports of scammers sending fake invoices with Whatcom County logos.

The fake invoices can be very convincing, with the scammers using AI to pull permit data and impersonate county staff. The department says it’s actively working to address the problem.

In the meantime, it’s urging community members not to click on hyperlinks in any suspicious emails and says it will never ask for permit fees via a wire transfer.

It comes as part of an emerging scheme across the country that the FBI says targets people with active applications for land-use permits.

The City of Bellingham has warned residents of a similar scam that’s been reported within its permit department.