Decatur Warns of Zoning Application Email Scam
Officials report scammers are impersonating staff to solicit fraudulent wire payments from zoning applicants.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Financial Crime
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The city of Decatur is warning residents about a fraudulent email scheme targeting individuals with pending zoning applications. Scammers are impersonating the Planning Director to request illicit wire transfer payments for city services.
Why it matters
The scam uses official logos and the names of city employees to deceive applicants, posing a risk of financial loss for those navigating the planning process. The city is taking this action to ensure residents understand that these communications are not legitimate.
The city of Decatur does not accept wire transfers for planning services and requires verification of official correspondence. Residents can contact the Planning Department at 256-341-4720.
The players
Chad Bowman
He is the Planning Director for the city of Decatur whose name is being impersonated by scammers.
City of Decatur Planning Department
This local agency manages zoning and land use services and is the target of the impersonation scheme.
The details
Fraudsters are sending invoices featuring the official city logo and claiming that wire payments are required to move pending zoning applications forward. Staff confirm that all legitimate communication from the department uses email addresses ending in @decatur-al.gov.
Timeline
October 15, 2026: The city of Decatur issued a public warning regarding the email scam.
Legal Context
The scam in Decatur follows a pattern set by the Federal Trade Commission's reported rise in imposter scams. Local authorities often combat these digital schemes by emphasizing communication protocols, such as strict domain verification, to protect residents from financial fraud.
Residents with pending zoning applications should verify any payment requests by calling the Planning Department directly. If you receive a suspicious invoice, do not reply to the email or follow the provided instructions for wire transfers.
The takeaway
Always double-check the sender's email address and confirm payment requirements through official city channels before processing any transactions. Never send money via wire transfer to entities claiming to represent government departments.
Further reading
For additional context on how to identify and report deceptive practices, visit Financial Crime.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WHNT.
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