Local & Community

Palm Springs Police Warn of Permit Fee Scam Targeting Property Owners

Palm Springs police are warning residents and businesses about a nationwide phishing scam targeting people with active land-use permit applications.

According to the Palm Springs Police Department, scammers are impersonating city and county planning and zoning officials and using real property addresses, permit numbers and the names of government officials to make fraudulent emails appear legitimate.

The emails reportedly request payment for fake permit fees, sometimes directing recipients to use wire transfers, peer-to-peer payment services or cryptocurrency.

Police are urging anyone who receives a payment request related to a permit to independently verify it with the city using official contact information.

Residents and businesses should also be cautious of unsolicited emails demanding immediate payment and carefully check the sender's email address for suspicious or non-government domains.

Police say people should never send money without first confirming that the request is legitimate.

Anyone who receives a suspicious request or believes they have been victimized by the scam in Palm Springs is encouraged to contact the Palm Springs Police Department.

Explore: NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the Valley.

By: NBC Palm Springs

September 28, 2026

Palm Springs scamPalm Springs Police Departmentpermit scamphishing scamland use permitspermit application fraudCoachella Valley scamsPalm Springs businessespayment scamplanning and zoning scamcryptocurrency scam
Link Copied To Clipboard!
Latest Instagram Posts
196

FINAL SCORE: FIREBIRDS WIN! 🔥🏒 A 2-1 victory for your Coachella Valley Firebirds tonight! Another hard-fought win, another reason to celebrate in the desert! 🐦‍🔥 WHO’S READY FOR MORE? 🔥 #Firebirds #CVFirebirds #CoachellaValley #HockeyTown #firebirdswin

24

🏒 PREGAME WITH TIM O’BRIEN! 🔥 The Firebirds are back on home ice tonight, and Tim O’Brien has the message heading into tonight’s matchup! Coachella Valley is looking to turn things around and defend home ice against the San Jose Barracuda. It’s time to get loud, Firebirds fans! LET’S GO BIRDS! 🔥 📍 Acrisure Arena 🕖 Puck drop: 7 PM #CVFirebirds #OneValley #TimOBrien #Hockey #FirebirdsHockey

90

289 requests from ONE requester-14x more than anyone else in the city. s That’s 2,200 staff hours and over $100K in wages alone coming straight out of taxpayers pockets. 😳 #therogginreport #deserthotsprings #publicrecords #localnews #nbcpalmsprings

1153

An 18-year-old’s life cut short and a search for answers continues. Authorities identified Angel Luna of Desert Hot Springs as the young man killed in a shooting Tuesday night on Calle Rojo in Coachella. No arrest have been made, and investigators are working to identify suspects.

31

☕️ Social Time with Thalia & Jerry! Two weeks until Thanksgiving. What are your plans?

394

Where do you stand on how cities should handle public notification for neighborhood changes? #therogginreport #laquinta #localnews #explore #nbcpalmsprings

127

We have all the coverage on today’s Veterans Day Parade in Palm Springs on nbcpalmsprings.com. #nbcpalmsprings #veteransday #fyp #veterans #usa

50

80 years later, their stories still matter. These remarkable World War II Veterans were featured in our Emmy-winning special report, “80 Years Later: The Coachella Valley’s WWII Legacy.” As a small thank you for sharing their stories, we surprised them with the Emmy. It was an honor to recognize these heroes, all over 100 years old, for their service and sacrifice. To them, and to all who have served, Happy Veteran’s Day.

20

Chef Richard Blais sets out to cook what he loves to eat. From fast food to working in Michelin star restaurants, he creates traditional dishes with his own unique twist. He’s taken that same approach with his new book: Sauce Life. The book combines his culinary journey with over 70 sauces that range from simple yet delicious to complex crowd pleasers. Signed Copies of Sauce Life are available now at @kestrelkitchenindianwells inside the Indian Wells Golf Resort.

So, Madonna in the Dance Tent… were you expecting that? And who else on this lineup has your attention? 👀

#Coachella2027 #Coachella #Indio #coachellavalley
489

So, Madonna in the Dance Tent… were you expecting that? And who else on this lineup has your attention? 👀 #Coachella2027 #Coachella #Indio #coachellavalley

Palm Springs Police Warn of Permit Fee Scam Targeting Property Owners