Scammers often exploit any opportunity they can to make their requests seem legitimate. They may even use the name of Albemarle County, a County department, or a County employee to make a request appear legitimate through email, phone calls, text messages, mail, social media, or even in person. Their goal is to appear credible by using familiar names or communication methods, so it’s important to stay cautious and verify unexpected or unusual requests. 

Some scams can be difficult to recognize. A message may include the County's name or seal, the name of an actual employee, or accurate information about your property, permit, application, taxes, or other County business. 

If you receive an unexpected request from someone claiming to represent Albemarle County, take time to verify it before providing personal information, login credentials, making a payment, or taking other action. 

Be cautious if someone claiming to represent Albemarle County does any of the following:  

• Pressures you to act or make a payment immediately. 
• Threatens arrest, additional fees, delays, or other consequences if you do not pay. 
• Asks you to pay by wire transfer, cryptocurrency (i.e. Bitcoin), gift card, or a peer-to-peer payment service. 
• Sends an unexpected invoice or changes payment instructions you previously received. 
• Asks for sensitive personal or financial information by email, text message, or phone. 
• Contacts you from an unfamiliar email address or a domain that does not match the County or an authorized County vendor. 
• Tells you not to call the County or discourages you from independently verifying the request. 
• Sends links or attachments you were not expecting. 
• Sends an unexpected MFA authentication request  

A professional-looking message is not proof that it is legitimate. Scammers may use official-looking logos, names, email signatures, documents, and publicly available information to make their communications appear authentic. 

Scammers often rely on urgency and trust to get people to act before they have time to question a request. 

If someone contacts you claiming to represent Albemarle County: 

• Stop before sending money or information. 
• Check the request for warning signs. 
• Verify it directly with Albemarle County. 

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