News Release # 2026-003

Friday, Jan. 9, 2026

Charles County Government is alerting residents, businesses, and development applicants of a fraudulent email scam currently circulating that falsely claims to be associated with County planning and development services.

The scam email references fabricated invoices, application review fees, and development projects, and instructs recipients to wire funds to settle alleged balances. These messages do not originate from Charles County Government and should be considered fraudulent.

What Residents Should Know

• Charles County Government never requests payment by wire transfer.
• While the County may send legitimate email notifications regarding outstanding invoices, all payments are made exclusively through the County’s Citizen Self-Service (CSS) portal using an official permit or application number.
• Any request to wire funds, provide banking information, or urgently settle fees outside of the CSS portal is not legitimate.

What to Do If You Receive a Suspicious Email

• Do not respond to the message.
• Do not click links or provide personal or financial information.
• Do not send payment of any kind.
• If you are unsure whether a message is legitimate, contact the Department of Planning and Growth Management directly to verify before taking any action.

Charles County Government is actively working to raise awareness of this scam and encourages residents and businesses to remain vigilant. If you believe you have received a fraudulent email or have questions about legitimate County billing procedures, please reach out to County staff for confirmation. Additional information about payments, permits, and official County communications can be found on the Charles County Government website.

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