Hernando County warns of fake permit emails targeting residents, businesses

Fraudulent emails are circulating in Hernando County that pretend to come from Development Services and demand permit-related fees. County officials said the messages have also claimed permits were suspended, a pressure tactic aimed at homeowners, contractors and businesses with active projects who may be more likely to pay quickly.

The county said multiple residents and businesses reported receiving the suspicious messages on June 8, 2026. The warning matters because permit and development work often moves through digital channels, which gives scammers a chance to make a fake request look like a routine government notice. The county’s message to the public is straightforward: do not send money or click through instructions from an unexpected email until the request is verified through official county channels.

That advice is especially important for anyone with a land-use or building matter in progress. The Federal Bureau of Investigation warned in a March 10 public-service announcement that criminals across the country were impersonating city and county planning and zoning officials in phishing emails about permits. The FBI said the scammers use publicly available permit details, zoning application numbers and property addresses to make the messages look legitimate, and said victims had already been identified nationwide.

Hernando County has posted that FBI warning on its Planning and Zoning page and says it has transitioned to the Hernando County Civic Access system. The county’s Building page also says residents can use a new Permit Application Status and Property Search Portal, in place as of March 3, 2026, to check current permit information and property records. For permits submitted before that date, the county keeps a legacy status tool in service.

This is not the first time Hernando County has dealt with a phishing attempt tied to development work. On Nov. 6, 2025, the county warned about a fake email that appeared to come from the Hernando County Planning and Zoning Commission and falsely claimed to be from Economic Development Director Valerie Pianta. The county also issued phishing alerts aimed at contractors on Oct. 2, 2023, and May 24, 2022.

County guidance tied to those earlier alerts told residents to verify suspicious messages with the Hernando County Building Division before taking action. The county listed the number as (352) 754-4050. The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office also maintains a fraud page with common scam warnings and prevention tips, underscoring that unsolicited payment requests should be treated as suspicious until confirmed through official county contact.