A Weird Email Scam Is Targeting Western Colorado

Western Colorado residents who have applied for a permit, a development review, or a zoning request are the latest targets of an online scam, according to the city of Grand Junction.

Criminals targeting local applicants are sending fake emails that appear to come from the city, demanding payments and urgent action tied to permits and approvals. Officials warn that these messages look awfully convincing. Here’s what we know so far.

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What Is the Grand Junction Scam?

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Legitimate emails from the city of Grand Junction come from @gjcity.org. Sadly, scammers are impersonating city employees and contacting development review applicants with fake payment requests. Some emails threaten delays or approval problems unless money is sent quickly. Other communications contained details from public records, which helps them appear authentic. Emails even used official logos, making it easy to mistake the scam for legitimate city communication.

The Biggest Red Flags Grand Junction Residents Should Watch For

One of the first signs of an online scam is pressure to take action immediately. Anyone demanding wire transfers, cryptocurrency payments, or urgent action may be trying to scam you. Misspellings, unfamiliar payment links, and sender addresses that do not end in “@gjcity.org” are major warning signs that the email did not come from the city of Grand Junction. Because permit applications contain public information, scammers use them to trick someone expecting an invoice or an update.

What To Do If You Get One of These Emails

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If you receive a suspicious email, don’t click links or send payment. Instead, contact the City of Grand Junction directly using official contact information from the city website. Residents can also report scams through the Federal Trade Commission’s fraud reporting site.