Phishing Scam Targeting Genesee County Planning Applicants

Published on September 15, 2026

Genesee County officials have identified an active email phishing scam targeting individuals and businesses with pending applications before the Genesee County Planning Board.

Scammers are using information from public meeting agendas, including real project numbers, applicant names and project details. They are then impersonating County officials through fake email addresses and sending realistic-looking invoices demanding thousands of dollars in “review and approval fees” through wire transfers.

Important Reminders

  • Genesee County never charges fees for Planning Board referrals.
  • Local town or village zoning fees are handled strictly at the municipal level. They are never collected through a separate County invoice, wire transfer request, digital payment app or cryptocurrency.
  • Any email demanding payment to process, streamline or approve a County Planning Board application is fraudulent.

What to Do if You Receive a Suspicious Email

  • Do not reply, click links or download attachments.
  • Do not send money.
  • Verify the communication by contacting the Genesee County Department of Planning directly using the information below.

Contact the Department of Planning

Genesee County Department of Planning
County Building 2
3837 West Main Street Road
Batavia, NY 14020

Phone: (585) 815-7901
Fax: (585) 345-3062
Email: planning@geneseeny.gov

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