Lowell officials are warning residents of an email scam posing as city communications seeking property permit fees.
LOWELL, Mich. — City officials in Lowell are warning residents about an email scam that has been targeting people seeking property permits and rezoning approval from the Planning Commission.
The fraudulent emails appear to come from City Manager Michael Burns but use a usa.com email address instead of the official ci.lowell.mi.us domain used for all legitimate city communications.
The scam emails contain detailed information about property requests, including background on specific properties and explanations of the city’s internal review processes. The messages request application approval fees and ask recipients to email payment receipts for confirmation.
“We want the community to know this is not a legitimate request from the City of Lowell,” Burns said. “It is unfortunate someone is using online information we are required by law to make public to target community members in a malicious way.”
Burns praised residents who contacted the city to verify the emails’ authenticity.
“We are grateful to the individuals who have reached out to us to ask about the email so we can help stop this scam in its tracks,” he said.
Officials advise anyone receiving suspicious emails to avoid clicking links, opening attachments or sending payments. Instead, residents should call the city at 616-897-8457 during business hours, delete the email and report it as spam.
Complaints can also be filed with the Michigan Attorney General’s Office at mi.gov/agcomplaints.
City officials emphasized they never request zoning or permit payments via email without calling applicants first.
Similar scams have been reported throughout West Michigan and across the country.
