Technology

FBI warns of zoning permit scam emails

Published

1 hour ago

March 30, 2026

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If you are building a home, renovating a property or applying for a zoning permit, there is a new scam you need to watch for. The Federal Bureau of Investigation says criminals are impersonating city and county planning officials in a phishing campaign designed to trick victims into paying fake permit fees.

The messages often look very convincing. A typical fake scam email might look like the one below. In many cases, scammers already know details about the property or the permit application. That makes the email feel real and urgent.

Unfortunately, once victims send the payment, the money is usually gone.

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BE AWARE OF EXTORTION SCAM EMAILS CLAIMING YOUR DATA IS STOLEN

The new zoning permit scam targets people applying for building approvals, often using fake invoices, urgent deadlines and official-sounding language. (Elijah Nouvelage/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

How the zoning permit phishing scam works

According to the FBI, criminals start by gathering publicly available information about zoning applications and development permits. Much of this information is available through city and county government websites. Once scammers find a target, they send an email pretending to come from a local planning or zoning department. The email may include:

A property address
A zoning or permit application number
References to a scheduled hearing
An invoice for supposed permit fees

The message often claims the payment must be made quickly to avoid delays in the permit approval process. Victims are then instructed to send money using wire transfers, peer-to-peer payment apps or cryptocurrency. Those payment methods are difficult to trace and even harder to recover.

Why the scam emails look so convincing

This scam works because it taps into a real process that many homeowners and businesses already deal with. Planning approvals, zoning permits and building applications often involve fees and official correspondence. When a message arrives that mentions your property or project, it feels legitimate. Criminals also carefully time their messages. Some phishing emails arrive shortly after applicants receive real communication from a local planning department.

The FBI says another warning sign is the email address. Many of the messages come from domains that look official but are not government domains. For example, scammers may use addresses ending in @usa.com or other non-government domains.

IF SOMEONE GETS INTO YOUR EMAIL, THEY OWN EVERY ACCOUNT YOU HAVE. THESE 3 MOVES LOCK THEM OUT FOR GOOD

The FBI is warning homebuilders, renovators and property owners about a phishing scam that uses fake zoning and permit fee emails to steal money. (Rawf8/Getty Images)

Red flags that signal a zoning permit scam

The FBI says several warning signs often appear in these phishing messages.

First, the sender email address may not end in a legitimate .gov domain.
Second, the message may include an attachment asking you to request additional details by replying to the email.
Third, the message may create urgency by claiming your permit will be delayed unless payment is made immediately.
Finally, the email may demand payment through unusual methods such as wire transfers, peer-to-peer apps or cryptocurrency.

Legitimate government offices rarely request permit payments this way.

This type of government impersonation is growing

Impersonating government officials has become a common tactic for scammers. In recent years, the FBI has warned about criminals pretending to be law enforcement agents, federal officials and even employees of the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

In one reported case, scammers contacted fraud victims and claimed they could help recover lost money. The criminals pretended to work for the FBI. The bureau has also warned about criminals using AI-generated audio deepfakes to impersonate government officials in voice phishing attacks. These schemes show how quickly scammers adapt their tactics.

How to stay safe from zoning permit phishing scams

The FBI shared several warnings about this scam. Here are practical steps you can take to protect yourself.

1) Verify the sender

Check the email address carefully. Official government communications typically come from a .gov domain.

2) Confirm fees directly

Contact your city or county planning department using the phone number listed on the official website.

3) Never rush payments

Scammers often create urgency. Take time to verify any request for money.

4) Avoid unusual payment methods

Government agencies rarely request payment through wire transfers, peer-to-peer apps or cryptocurrency.

FBI EMAIL HACK SHOWS WHY YOU MUST LOCK DOWN YOUR TECH

The FBI says fake planning department emails are tricking property owners into sending permit payments through wire transfers, apps and crypto. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

5) Reduce your public data exposure

Scammers often gather details from public records, property listings and data broker sites to make their messages look legitimate. Using a data removal service can help remove your personal information from many of these databases and reduce the chances that criminals can target you with highly personalized scams.

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6) Be cautious with attachments and links

Unexpected files or payment instructions can signal phishing. Do not click on any links or download attachments until you confirm the message is legitimate.

7) Use strong antivirus protection

Strong antivirus software can detect phishing links, malicious downloads and suspicious websites before they compromise your device. Good security software can also warn you if you attempt to visit a known scam page. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com

8) Report suspicious messages

If you receive a fraudulent email, report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). Providing details like the email address used, the date of the message and the requested payment amount can help investigators track the criminals.

Kurt’s key takeaways

Building permits and zoning approvals already involve paperwork, deadlines and fees. Scammers know this. They exploit the process to create messages that look authentic. A quick moment of verification can make the difference between moving your project forward and losing thousands of dollars to criminals. The more property owners, developers and businesses understand how these scams work, the harder it becomes for criminals to succeed. So the next time an email demands a permit fee, pause before you pay.

If a message about your property arrives asking for immediate payment, would you know how to tell if it came from your local government or a scammer? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

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RIP Microsoft Publisher. Switch to These Alternatives Before It Disappears This Fall

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So follow along as we dig into the latest in AI “music.”

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Technology

Are robots coming to a McDonald’s near you?

Published

14 hours ago

March 30, 2026

Press Room

Are robots coming to a McDonald’s near you?

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Walk into a McDonald’s, and you expect a familiar routine. You order, wait and grab your food. At one location in Shanghai, that routine briefly looked very different.

McDonald’s deployed robots from Chinese robotics firm Keenon Robotics in one of its fast-food restaurants as part of a short-term test tied to a store opening. The robots greeted customers, added a bit of entertainment and helped with simple service tasks.

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DRONE FOOD DELIVERY LAUNCHES IN NEW JERSEY

Humanoid and service robots from Keenon Robotics line up outside a McDonald’s in Shanghai, highlighting the mix of experimental machines used in the short-term test. (Keenon Robotics)

What actually happened at this McDonald’s in Shanghai

This test happened at just one location. It was not a rollout. It was a short pilot tied to a store opening. Inside the restaurant, humanoid robots greeted customers and added a fun, interactive element. You can see them wearing McDonald’s uniforms and making simple gestures for diners. At the same time, other robots handled basic tasks like delivering food and clearing trays. It was a mix of different machines working together, not a fully integrated system.

Human workers still did the real work behind the counter. They handled cooking, orders and anything that required judgment.

In the end, this looked more like a live demo than a real shift in operations. The robots were there to attract attention, not replace staff.

Why McDonald’s is experimenting with robots

Even though this was a small test, it reflects a much bigger trend. Restaurants in many regions are dealing with hiring challenges. At the same time, fewer workers are interested in repetitive, lower-paid roles. That creates an opportunity for automation. Robots can handle simple, repetitive tasks with consistency. They do not get tired, and they can operate for long hours. For fast-food chains, that level of reliability is appealing. At this stage, the technology is not advanced enough to replace human workers. But it can support them in limited ways.

Are robot workers the future of fast food?

Not yet. This test was more about exploring possibilities than changing operations. The robots acted more like a demonstration of what could come next rather than a working solution ready for scale. Right now, the most realistic future is a hybrid model. Humans continue to handle cooking, customer issues and complex tasks. Robots assist with basic service and customer-facing roles. That balance could evolve over time as the technology improves.

Why robot tests matter for the future of fast food

Even short-term experiments can signal where things are headed. Robots can speed up service, reduce long-term labor costs and create a unique experience that attracts customers. For families and younger diners, interacting with a robot can turn a routine visit into something memorable. That novelty factor alone makes these tests valuable for companies looking to stand out.

ROBOT FIREFIGHTERS ENTER BURNING BUILDINGS FIRST

A humanoid robot greets a customer at the counter, showing how the machines were used to create an interactive, front-of-house experience. (Keenon Robotics)

Why fast food automation is still in the early stages

Today’s robots are limited. They struggle with complex tasks and unpredictable situations that require human judgment. Cooking, handling special requests and managing busy environments still depend on people. That is why this test remained small and temporary. It shows potential, but it also highlights how far the technology still has to go.

What this means to you

You are not about to walk into a fully automated McDonald’s. But you may start seeing more technology in everyday places. That could mean faster service and fewer delays. It could also mean less direct interaction with human staff. Jobs in fast food are unlikely to disappear overnight. Instead, they may shift toward roles that focus on customer support, problem-solving and managing technology. At the same time, these early tests raise questions about how far automation will go and how quickly it could change the workforce.

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A humanoid robot dressed as a chef stands on display, underscoring how the test leaned more toward demonstration and entertainment than real kitchen operations. (Keenon Robotics)

Kurt’s key takeaways

This was not a rollout. It was a glimpse. McDonald’s used humanoid robots in one location for a short period to test reactions and explore possibilities. The machines added novelty, but they did not replace workers. Still, the direction is clear. Automation is moving into everyday spaces, one small test at a time.

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If robots can already greet you and deliver your food, how long before they take on the rest of the job? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM newsletter