Photo courtesy of Pixabay.
Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

Information provided by County of San Benito. Lea este artículo en español aquí.

The County of San Benito is reminding residents, contractors, applicants, and members of the public to remain vigilant against fraudulent emails impersonating County personnel and requesting unauthorized payments.

In May 2026, the County issued a public warning about fraudulent emails impersonating staff from Planning and Building Services. These messages reportedly originated from unauthorized email domains and attempted to solicit wire transfers or payments for invoices related to County applications and services.

As a continued precaution, the County encourages the public to carefully verify the legitimacy of any email requesting payment or sensitive information, particularly those involving urgent payment deadlines, wire transfers, or unfamiliar payment instructions.

Official County email communications originate from verified email domains ending in @sanbenitocountyca.gov. However, residents should remain cautious, as fraudulent messages may use misleading sender names or email addresses designed to resemble legitimate County communications.

How to Protect Yourself

The County encourages residents and businesses to take the following precautions:

  • Verify email addresses: Carefully review the sender’s email address before responding or providing information.
  • Avoid suspicious links and attachments: Do not click on unfamiliar links or open unexpected attachments.
  • Confirm payment requests: Contact the appropriate County department directly using verified contact information available on the County’s official website before submitting payments.
  • Be cautious of urgent requests: Exercise additional caution when messages demand immediate payment, wire transfers, or changes to previously established payment instructions.
  • Report suspicious communications: Notify the appropriate County department if you receive a questionable email claiming to represent County personnel.

The County remains committed to safeguarding public information and maintaining the integrity of its communications and services. Residents and businesses are encouraged to remain alert and independently verify any suspicious correspondence before taking action.

For official County announcements and additional information, visit www.sanbenitocountyca.gov/news