Orange County has become aware of scam attempts that seek to defraud victims through emails that impersonate county staff, departments, or organizations. At this time, local instances of these attempts have been limited, but this type of scam has been observed in many other localities. With that in mind, Orange County is taking the opportunity to proactively remind residents about ways to be safer. Be alert, review the potential red flags listed below, slow down and stay calm if you receive a suspicious email, and verify any supposed charges through reliable means before making a payment.
Scam attempts may reach out to a potential victim with a fraudulent email and invoice claiming the recipient owes additional fees related to some interaction with a county department, like a zoning application, building inspection, or similar service. The message may request payment through a wire transfer, as well as instructing the recipient to reply directly to the fraudulent email rather than emailing a staff member directly or calling an office.
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Unfortunately, scammers can make a message look professional and authentic. They may use publicly available information sources to provide accurate details like facility addresses and staff names. However, there are red flags that can help residents identify a scam attempt and avoid becoming victims.
Red flags and warnings
- Know that Orange County will never request payment through wire transfer or gift card. Any email or invoice requesting payment through these methods is likely a scam.
- Be wary of any email that requests you only communicate through that email chain. Orange County will not request that you communicate only through email. You are welcome to contact staff by phone or visit offices in person.
- Verify any supposed charges outside of the email you received. Contact Orange County directly using information available at www.orangecountyva.gov. For extra safety, take this verification offline by making a phone call to the office or visiting an office in person. If you are not sure which department to contact, begin with the Administration Office at (540) 672-3313.
- Review the sender address of any email to ensure it ends with "@orangecountyva.gov." Scam emails often use official-sounding addresses but use an incorrect domain. However, email addresses can be faked, so do not rely on this method alone.
If you are concerned you are being scammed or may have been the victim of a scam, do not delay. Scammers prey upon victims feeling embarrassed or afraid to contact authorities. Contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Office at (540) 672-1200 for assistance.
