FBI Warns of National Scam Impacting Marin County

Residents and businesses in Novato are being targeted by a sophisticated phishing scheme

Apr. 11, 2026 at 9:37am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up of a crumpled, torn permit application form reflecting a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually illustrating the targeted nature of this financial fraud scheme.A recent wave of targeted phishing scams tied to public permit records exposes the growing threat of cybercrime in Marin County communities.Novato Today

The FBI is warning residents and businesses in Novato, California about a national phishing scam that is impacting the Marin County area. Criminals are posing as local government officials and sending fake invoices tied to real permit applications, pressuring victims to wire money or use cryptocurrency. The FBI urges people to verify email domains, check official city websites, and call agencies directly before paying any invoices.

Why it matters

This scam highlights the growing threat of cybercrime and the need for increased vigilance when dealing with unsolicited financial requests, especially those claiming to be from government agencies. The impact on Novato and surrounding Marin County communities could be significant, with losses from such scams continuing to mount nationwide.

The details

According to the FBI, the scammers are mining public permit records to identify potential victims, then sending fake invoices and demanding immediate payment. The criminals are pressuring people to wire money or use cryptocurrency, making it difficult to trace and recover the stolen funds. Local towns, including San Anselmo, have added online warnings about the scam as losses continue to grow.

  • The FBI first warned about this national scam impacting Marin County in April 2026.

The players

FBI

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the primary investigative agency of the United States federal government.

Novato

A city in Marin County, California that is being targeted by the phishing scam.

San Anselmo

A town in Marin County, California that has added online warnings about the scam.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The FBI is urging people to verify email domains, check official city websites, and call agencies directly before paying any invoices to avoid falling victim to this scam.

The takeaway

This scam highlights the importance of being vigilant when dealing with unsolicited financial requests, especially those claiming to be from government agencies. Residents and businesses in Novato and the surrounding Marin County area should take steps to verify the legitimacy of any invoices or payment requests before sending any money.