Surf City warns residents of fake emails posing as community development department

SURF CITY, NC (WWAY) — Town officials are warning residents and customers to watch out for fraudulent emails impersonating Surf City’s Community Development Department, according to a media release issued by the town.

Officials say the scam emails are being sent to people who are involved in local planning and permitting processes. The messages request personal information or push recipients to make payments, mimicking what looks like official town correspondence.

What the Town Says It Will Never Do

According to the release, the Community Development Department will never ask for personal information or payment through an unsolicited email. The town also does not accept payments by wire transfer under any circumstances — officials say any email directing someone to pay by wire transfer, or through another unexpected method, should be treated as fraudulent.

Town officials outlined the only legitimate channels for official communication from the department:

• Email from a verified address ending in @SurfCityNC.gov
• A direct phone call from town staff
• Written correspondence sent through the U.S. Mail

Not a Data Breach, Town Says

Surf City emphasized that the scam does not stem from a hack or data breach of town systems. Officials say the personal information used to target victims appears to have been pulled from publicly available records, not from any compromise of the town’s networks or files.

What to Do If You Get a Suspicious Email

The town is urging anyone who receives an unexpected or suspicious email claiming to be from the Community Development Department to avoid responding, clicking links, opening attachments, or sending payment. Instead, residents should call the department directly at 910-328-4131 to confirm whether a message is legitimate.

Anyone who believes they’ve already handed over personal information or made a payment because of one of these emails is asked to report it to the Surf City Police Department at 910-328-7711.

Town’s Message to Residents

Surf City officials say they remain focused on protecting residents and keeping the public informed. They’re encouraging anyone dealing with permits, planning applications, or related payments to slow down and independently verify any unexpected request before acting on it.