Orange Police Warn of Email Scam Impersonating City Planning Department

Fraudulent invoices request wire transfers for 'approval fees'

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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The Orange Police Department is alerting residents and businesses about a scam involving fake invoices from a counterfeit city email address impersonating the City of Orange Planning & Community Development Department. The scam email requests payment by wire transfer for 'approval fees,' but officials say the city will never request payment this way and all official correspondence will come from verified city email accounts.

Why it matters

This scam targets the public's trust in local government and attempts to defraud residents and businesses out of money. It highlights the need for vigilance against phishing and impersonation scams, which have become increasingly common as criminals leverage digital channels to carry out their schemes.

The details

The fraudulent email is being sent from the address planningdept.orangetexas.gov@usa.com, which police say is not associated with the City of Orange. The message uses the city's name, address, and logo, and instructs recipients to reply to obtain wiring instructions for payment. Officials emphasize that the City of Orange will never request payment by wire transfer, and all official correspondence will only come from verified city email accounts.

  • On February 19, 2026, the Orange Police Department issued a news release about the scam.

The players

Orange Police Department

The local law enforcement agency in Orange, Texas that is investigating the email scam and warning the public about it.

City of Orange Planning & Community Development Department

The city department that the scam email is impersonating in an attempt to defraud residents and businesses.

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What they’re saying

“The City of Orange will NEVER request payment by wire transfer. Official correspondence will only come from verified city email accounts.”

— Orange Police Department (12newsnow.com)

What’s next

Investigators are actively looking into the incident and urging the public to remain cautious of any suspicious emails or requests for payment.

The takeaway

This scam highlights the importance of verifying the source of any email or invoice requesting payment, especially if it claims to be from a government agency. Residents and businesses should be wary of unsolicited requests for wire transfers and always confirm legitimacy through official channels.