Panama City warned that fraudulent emails impersonating planning and zoning staff are asking applicants to pay additional fees. The city says fees are paid once at application and the department does not send last-minute invoices or payment links.

The City of Panama City issued a warning about fraudulent emails impersonating its planning and zoning staff. The messages reportedly request additional fees from applicants, creating a risk that recipients will send money to scammers or use fraudulent payment links. The city says applicants pay fees once, at the time of application, and that the department does not send last-minute invoices or payment links. Anyone who receives an unexpected demand should verify it directly with the city through contact information obtained from the official municipal website, rather than replying to the message or using links it contains. The warning is particularly relevant to people with active applications, who may find a message about fees plausible. The city’s notice identifies the emails as fraudulent impersonations; it does not provide information about the perpetrators or confirmed losses. Source: City of Panama City. The city’s stated fee process offers applicants a practical way to recognize and question an unexpected request for additional payment.