Bernalillo County is warning residents and businesses about a new scam targeting applicants who have filed for public hearings with the County.

Scammers are contacting applicants and requesting payment for application review fees through bank wire transfers. These fraudulent requests may appear to be official County communications, putting applicants at risk of financial loss.

How to Recognize the Scam

Bernalillo County reminds the public that it follows specific procedures for collecting fees:

• No payment requests by email: Bernalillo County does not request County fees through email.
• No wire transfers: The County will NEVER request payment through a bank wire transfer.
• Official payment methods only: Payments are accepted exclusively through bernco.gov or in person at County offices.

What to Do if You Receive a Suspicious Request

If you receive an unexpected email or phone call requesting payment for a County application, do not send money or provide financial information.

Instead, contact Bernalillo County's Planning and Development Department directly at 505-314-0350 to report the suspicious communication and verify its legitimacy.

Help Protect Your Clients

Real estate professionals may work with clients, developers, and property owners navigating County applications and public hearings. Sharing this warning can help prevent fraudulent payments and protect those involved in property development and land-use processes.

Remember: Bernalillo County will never request payment by wire transfer. Always verify payment instructions through official County channels before submitting fees.

Source: Bernalillo County