“Fraudulent Invoice Notices” Involved

MOHAVE COUNTY, AZ (February 13, 2025) – –
The Mohave County Development Services has been made aware of an email scam involving ‘fraudulent invoice notices.’ The scam emails appear to be sent by the Development Services Department, attempting to deceive recipients into making payments for an application approval fee.

The fraudulent emails may look official, including the Department’s logo and language that mimics legitimate communication. These emails typically include an invoice or payment notice for an application fee, with an urgent demand for payment. The emails may also contain links that lead to phishing websites or malware.

Key Features of the Scam:

• Fraudulent Sender: The scam emails may appear to come from the Mohave County Development Services Department, but the sender’s email address may be slightly altered or misspelled.
• Invoice Notice: The email will often include an invoice or payment request of $20,000+, demanding payment for an application fee.
• Malicious Links: The emails may contain links or attachments that can direct users to fraudulent websites or install harmful software.
• Urgency: The emails often stress the need for immediate payment to avoid penalties or service interruptions, creating a false sense of urgency.

How to Protect Yourself:

• Do NOT click on any links or attachments in unsolicited emails, especially those asking for payment or personal information.
• Verify the sender’s email address. Official emails from the Development Services Department will always come from an email address ending in [@mohave.gov].
• Do not respond to any invoice or payment request unless you are certain it is legitimate. If any doubt, contact the department directly.
• Delete Suspicious Emails. If you receive an email that appears suspicious or fraudulent, delete it from your mailbox
  The county encourages anyone who receives these emails to remain cautious and contact us directly for verificatio