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FBI warns of zoning permit scam emails

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FBI warns of zoning permit scam emails

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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.

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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).

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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.

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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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Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com

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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.

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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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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com.  All rights reserved.

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God of War Laufey is coming to the PS5

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God of War Laufey is coming to the PS5

Sony ended its big State of Play showcase with a major reveal: the next God of War. The new title is called God of War Laufey, and is once again developed by Sony’s Santa Monica Studio. Currently, the game doesn’t have a date, but it’s coming to the PS5 whenever it does launch.

This time, instead of perpetually furious dad Kratos, players will take control of Faye / Laufey, as the title implies. That means that while the tone of the game seems somewhat similar to past God of War titles, the gameplay looks quite different, with much more aerobatic action punctuated by magic instead of Kratos’ heavy violence. Also, there’s a giant, six-legged cat that can fly. And a talking gelatinous cube named Phranque that fights alongside you.

You can get a good look at the game in action with this lengthy 20-minute reveal video:

The new game is a shift for blockbuster video games, which for years have focused on stories about dads. With Faye’s starring role, it seems like moms are finally getting their due.

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Would you ride in Waymo’s new Ojai robotaxi?

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Would you ride in Waymo’s new Ojai robotaxi?

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Getting into a car with no one behind the wheel can be a little weird the first time. You know the car is supposed to drive itself, but part of you no doubt may still feel uneasy.

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Waymo is trying to make that moment feel less anxious with its new Ojai robotaxi. It has more room to stretch out, bigger screens to control the ride and a cabin built for passengers from the very start.

That could make a real difference. If driverless rides are going to become something you actually use, they need to feel safe, simple and comfortable once the doors close.

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  • Your phone holds your email, passwords, photos, banking apps and personal data. In this free, live online class, Kurt the CyberGuy will walk you step by step through simple phone security fixes you can do in real time. You’ll learn how to improve your privacy settings, spot the latest phone scams, use trusted security tools and walk away with a simple checklist to stay protected. Register here: CyberGuyLive.com.

CHINA’S FIRST MASS-PRODUCED FLYING CAR DEBUTS

Waymo’s new Ojai robotaxi is designed around passengers, with more legroom, bigger screens and accessibility features. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Waymo Ojai robotaxi rides will start with select riders

Waymo says the first public Ojai rides will begin in the coming weeks. Select riders in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Phoenix will get the first chance to try it. The rides will be free for a limited time while Waymo gathers feedback and refines the experience. Access will then expand gradually to more riders and more cities.

Waymo also says Denver, Las Vegas and San Diego are on its expansion list before the company opens the doors wider later this year. For now, interested riders can use the Waymo app and sign up as a Trusted Tester.

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Waymo’s new driverless vehicle puts riders first

The Ojai looks like Waymo’s attempt to rethink what a robotaxi should feel like from the inside. Instead of feeling like a regular car with self-driving tech added in, the Ojai was built around the rider experience. Waymo describes it as a more expansive cabin with extra legroom, a flat floor and a low step-in height. That could help when you are carrying groceries, traveling with luggage or getting in and out with less mobility.

WAYMO TEAMS UP WITH WAZE TO SPOT POTHOLES FASTER

Inside the Waymo Ojai robotaxi cabin

The Ojai cabin gives riders three large adaptive screens. You can use them to adjust parts of the ride, including the temperature and music.

Waymo also added charging ports and cupholders. Those may sound like small touches, but they are the things you notice once you are actually sitting in the back seat.

Waymo says the Ojai cabin includes a flat floor, low step-in height, Braille, grab bars and screen-reader compatibility. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

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Waymo Ojai accessibility features could help more riders

Waymo also says the Ojai was designed with accessibility in mind from the start. The vehicle has a flat floor, a low step-in height, Braille, grab bars and screen-reader compatibility.

Those details can make a ride easier for someone who needs a little more support getting in or out. They can also help older riders, passengers with disabilities or anyone juggling bags, groceries or a tired kid after a long day.

UBER UNVEILS A NEW ROBOTAXI WITH NO DRIVER BEHIND THE WHEEL

Waymo’s 6th-generation Driver debuts in the Ojai

The Ojai will be the first vehicle to use Waymo’s sixth-generation Waymo Driver. That is the company’s autonomous driving technology.

Waymo says this new generation will help it operate in snowier cities and bring fully autonomous rides to more communities. Snow, slush and messy weather can challenge autonomous vehicles in ways sunny streets cannot. If Waymo can handle those conditions safely, it could expand far beyond the warmer markets where robotaxis have had an easier start.

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Waymo’s Arizona factory could help robotaxis expand

Waymo says its Mesa, Arizona, factory is getting ready to build tens of thousands of vehicles each year. The Ojai will come first, followed by the Hyundai IONIQ 5. That matters because robotaxi services need vehicles. Lots of them.

The Ojai also includes practical changes that could help Waymo keep a larger fleet on the road. Waymo points to easier-to-clean interiors, faster charging, increased battery capacity and a more modular design for maintenance and repairs.

Those details may not sound exciting, but they matter if robotaxis are going to move beyond a handful of cities. The easier these vehicles are to charge, clean and repair, the easier it may be for Waymo to bring them to more riders.

WAYMO VEHICLES ‘PUTTING AMERICAN LIVES AT RISK,’ SOURCE WARNS AMID AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE COMPANY’S MASSIVE RECALL

The Waymo Ojai debuts the company’s sixth-generation autonomous driving system as it looks to expand robotaxi service. (Jason Henry/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

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What this means to you

If you already ride with Waymo, the Ojai could make your next trip feel more comfortable. The bigger difference may be how normal the ride feels once you are inside. If you have never taken a driverless ride, the Ojai may become your first real temptation. The extra space and rider-friendly features could make the idea easier to try.

But there is still a comfort gap for many riders. You are stepping into a vehicle with no human driver. That makes comfort important, but safety still drives the whole decision. That question feels especially timely. Waymo recently paused freeway rides in several U.S. cities while it works on software updates tied to construction zones and flooded roads. Surface-street service has continued, but the pause is a reminder that even advanced robotaxis still face many challenges out there on the road.

Waymo says riders have taken more than 20 million fully autonomous trips across 11-plus cities. The Ojai now gives the company another chance to prove that driverless rides can feel safe, useful and normal for more of us.

Kurt’s key takeaways

Waymo’s new Ojai robotaxi shows where driverless rides are heading next. The car still has to get you from point A to point B safely, but now Waymo is also trying to make the ride feel easier, roomier and more comfortable once you get inside. I like that Waymo is thinking about the rider experience, not only the driving technology. The extra space, accessibility features and rider controls could help those who have been curious but hesitant. Still, trust is a huge hurdle. A nicer cabin may make the ride more comfortable, but Waymo still has to prove that a car with no driver can handle the messy, unpredictable roads we all deal with every day.

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Would you climb into Waymo’s new Ojai robotaxi for a free ride, or do driverless cars still have more to prove before you would trust one? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.  

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The best Switch 2 screen protector you should buy

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The best Switch 2 screen protector you should buy

A glass screen protector is one of a few essential accessories that I strongly recommend to every Switch 2 owner. In fact, it should be a priority to stick one onto the console’s screen as soon as possible to avoid accidental scratches.

To test the candidates below, I installed and removed Switch 2 screen protectors on my console at an alarming rate, more than any sane person should, and here are the most important takeaways:

Of the options below, it’s easiest to recommend amFilm’s three-pack of glossy screen protectors. Not only is the pack affordable ($9.99 from Amazon), but the tray also allows for perfect alignment of the glass protector for easy, bubble-free installation. I’ve used this company’s screen protectors on various gadgets for years, and I particularly like its glossy option over the matte finish, since it lets the Switch 2’s screen fully shine through.

Update, June 2nd: Adjusted prices as needed.

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