Pender County warns of scam emails impersonating Planning and Community Development Office
BURGAW, NC (WWAY) — The Pender County Planning and Community Development Department is warning residents and stakeholders about fraudulent emails impersonating its office.
The county has received reports of emails that appear to come from the Planning and Community Development Department requesting personal information or payment.
These messages are not legitimate and are part of a scam operation. Officials are investigating and working with authorities to stop the activity.
“We want residents to know we only contact customers through official channels,” the department stated. Those include:
- Verified email addresses ending in @pendercountync.gov
- Direct phone calls from staff, which may be confirmed on the county website
- Written correspondence sent by mail
The department does not request sensitive personal or financial information through unsolicited emails. Planning generally does not accept wire payments. Wire payments, when necessary for large sums, are arranged only through the Pender County Finance Department.
Standard payments are accepted online through the Pender Online Resource Tool (PORT) at pendercountync.gov/port, or in person at the county’s offices:
- Burgaw Office: 805 S. Walker St., Burgaw, NC 28425
- Hampstead Office: 15060 U.S. Highway 17, Hampstead, NC 28443
Residents who receive suspicious or unexpected emails claiming to be from the Planning and Community Development Department should:
- Report the email at 910-259-1202
- Delete the message
- Contact the office directly if unsure about recent communication
The department emphasized that the security and trust of the community remain top priorities.
Anyone who believes they have been victimized by a scam should contact the Pender County Sheriff’s Office at 910-259-1515.
