Amarillo Police Warn of Fake Home Improvement Permit Fee Scam

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The Amarillo Police Department is warning residents about a new home improvement permit fee scam targeting people working on construction or renovation projects. Scammers are sending emails that appear to be from the city, claiming the recipient owes a permit fee that must be paid immediately via wire transfer, Venmo, Zelle, or cryptocurrency to avoid delays. However, these emails are fake, and the city would never demand payment this way for official permits.

Why it matters

This scam takes advantage of homeowners who are already dealing with the stress and expenses of home improvement projects. Falling for these fake demands for payment could result in significant financial losses, as the money sent to the scammers is nearly impossible to recover. Raising awareness of this scam can help protect Amarillo residents from becoming victims.

The details

The scammers use publicly available information to make the emails appear legitimate, including the recipient's address and a case number. They try to create a sense of urgency by threatening delays if the fee is not paid immediately. However, the Amarillo Police Department stresses that the city would never demand payment for permits through apps, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Legitimate permit fees are paid directly to the city through official channels.

• The Amarillo Police Department issued the warning on April 12, 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The Amarillo Police Department advises residents to always verify any permit fees directly with the city using their official website or phone number, and to never send money through apps, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency if something seems suspicious.