Email scammers impersonating Carmel Department of Community Services

On Tuesday, Sept. 1, Carmel city officials issued an urgent security alert to inform residents of an active email scam impersonating the city’s Department of Community Services.

Scammers are sending highly realistic emails, often referencing actual property addresses and case numbers, to demand immediate payment for “permit fees” or “zoning violations.”

These emails often include:

• Accurate project details: They may reference your specific property address, actual case numbers, or recently filed permit applications (information obtained from public records).
• Official branding: The messages often use the city’s logo, professional-sounding legal language, and the names of real city employees.
• Urgent demands: The email claims that your project “cannot be finalized until …” and that there are fees that must be paid immediately via wire transfer to avoid project delays.

The City of Carmel will never ask for payment via wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or mobile payment apps. All legitimate fees are handled through the official online permit portal.

If you are unsure about the legitimacy of an invoice, contact the Department of Community Services directly at (317) 571-2417 or email Bric Butler at bbutler@carmel.in.gov. You may also file a report at ic3.gov.