The City of Kenosha announced on Apr. 13 that it is warning residents, property owners, and businesses about fraudulent invoices falsely claiming to be issued by the City’s Planning Commission.
The alert is important because these fake invoices request payment for processing fees, permits, or planning-related work that was never authorized or completed. They often feature fabricated due dates and direct recipients to send money via wire transfer to unauthorized individuals or entities. Some documents use official-looking city logos or formatting in an attempt to appear legitimate.
According to the City, the Plan Commission does not issue invoices for services, and all official emails from the City end with “@kenosha.org.” The public is advised to verify any unexpected invoice before making a payment. “The public is encouraged to question any invoice they were not expecting,” said City Administrator John Morrissey. “Fraud prevention starts with diligence, any invoice representing the City of Kenosha should be carefully reviewed and verified. Verifying before payment helps prevent fraud and protects your finances.”
Common signs of a fake invoice include references to unauthorized zoning or permit-related work, pressure for immediate payment based on false deadlines using wire transfers, unfamiliar addresses or accounts in payment instructions, and suspicious contact information not affiliated with the City.
Anyone who receives a suspicious invoice should avoid making payments and contact the City of Kenosha Department of City Development at 262-653-4030 or report incidents to the Kenosha Police Department non-emergency line at 262-656-1234. The city urges all residents to remain alert for potential fraud and encourages contacting relevant city departments if questions arise regarding an invoice.
