City warns applicants about fraudulent permit, zoning payment requests

Published on September 24, 2026

The City is warning residents, developers and business owners to be cautious of fraudulent emails requesting payment for permits and other development applications.

Some applicants have received scam emails claiming they owe money to the City before their application can be approved or processed. These messages may look legitimate and can include information about an actual project or application.

Before making a payment, applicants should verify any unexpected invoice or payment request directly with the City.

City of OKC invoices

City of OKC invoices will only come from official City sources or directly from the City staff working with the applicant.

In-person invoice payments can be made at the James Couch Municipal Building, 420 W. Main St., Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Electronic payments should be made through the OKC Citizen Portal at okc.gov/access.

Anyone who receives an unexpected or suspicious invoice related to a City of OKC application should not click links or send payment until the request has been verified.

To confirm a Planning Department invoice, call 405-297-1624 or email CPUD@okc.gov.

How to spot a potential scam

Phishing scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, including the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to create convincing emails, invoices and other communications.

Residents and applicants should use caution when receiving emails about City payments. Warning signs can include:

• Check the sender’s email address. Official City of Oklahoma City email addresses end in @okc.gov. Be cautious of addresses that look similar but contain misspellings, extra letters or a different website domain.
• Be suspicious of urgent payment requests and/or wire transfers. Scammers may claim a payment must be made immediately to avoid delays, penalties or denial of an application.
• Don't rely on how professional an email looks. Scam emails and invoices could include the City seal, signatures, project information and professional language.
• Be cautious of unusual payment instructions. Verify any request to send money using a payment method or account you have not previously used with the City.
• Don't click unexpected payment links. Instead, go directly to the City's website or payment portal using an address you know is legitimate.
• Verify when in doubt. If an invoice or email seems unusual, contact the City using the contact information on OKC.gov rather than replying to the message or using the phone number provided in the suspicious email.

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