Eureka Warns Residents of Scam Emails Targeting Planning Department

On November 26, 2025 the City of Eureka issued a public warning after receiving reports of scam emails that impersonated the City Planning and Development Services Department. The fraudulent messages used a spoofed email address and included a fake invoice bearing a copied city logo, with recipients asked to send payment by wire transfer. The city said official City emails will end in @eurekaca.gov or @ci.eureka.ca.gov.

The release advised recipients not to respond to the emails or send payment. It instructed people to verify invoices by calling Development Services at (707) 441 4160 and to report suspected fraud to the Eureka Police Department. The city manager contact information was included in the release for additional questions.

The scam poses a direct risk to Humboldt County residents and local businesses that routinely interact with Development Services, including property owners applying for permits, contractors handling municipal projects, and small businesses that receive invoiced fees. Wire transfer requests are a common tactic for scammers because they can move funds quickly and make recovery difficult. The use of a copied city logo and a spoofed sender address can make fraudulent messages look convincing to recipients who expect legitimate invoices from city departments.

Beyond potential financial losses, the incident affects trust in official communications at a time when many municipal services rely on electronic correspondence. Residents who receive unexpected invoice requests should pause before taking action, confirm sender addresses against the city domains provided in the release, and call the Development Services number listed in the city statement.

The warning fits a broader pattern of cyber fraud targeting local governments and service providers across the United States and around the world. For now the city has focused on outreach and verification steps to prevent further harm. Humboldt County residents with concerns about specific invoices or unclear messages should use the phone number provided by the city and contact law enforcement to report suspected criminal activity.