Decatur Residents Warned of Impersonation Scam Targeting Property Owners

2026/02/12 11:08:09 – The City of Decatur has issued a public warning to residents and businesses regarding a sophisticated scam circulating in Alabama. Scammers are reportedly posing as municipal employees in an attempt to fraudulently collect money.

Details of the Scam

While no instances have been reported within Decatur city limits as of today, officials are proactively alerting the community to recognize and avoid this deceptive practice. The scam involves individuals leveraging publicly accessible information – specifically details from planning and zoning meeting proceedings – to target property owners and those with pending applications.

Scammers are crafting seemingly legitimate communications that reference actual projects, permits, or grant opportunities discussed in public forums. This tactic lends credibility to their false claims, leading recipients to believe the requests for fees or payments are genuine.

How to Protect Yourself

The City of Decatur emphasizes that it never requests payments through unsolicited emails or requires funds to be transferred electronically for municipal services. Residents and business owners are strongly advised to exercise extreme caution when receiving such requests.

Key Protective Measures:

• Do Not Respond: Refrain from replying to any unsolicited messages asking for money or personal information.
• Do not Send Payment: Under no circumstances should you send funds to individuals claiming to represent the city via email or other unverified channels.
• Verify Directly: If you receive a suspicious dialog, contact the relevant City of Decatur department directly. Use the official phone number or email address listed on the city’s official website: https://www.decatur-al.gov/.

Staying Vigilant

City officials urge all residents to remain vigilant and share this information with neighbors and colleagues. By staying informed and exercising caution, the community can collectively protect itself from falling victim to this fraudulent scheme.

Keywords: Decatur Alabama, scam alert, fraud, impersonation, municipal employees, city services, property owners, zoning, permits, grants, financial fraud, public safety.