Scam Warning: Fraudulent Emails Seeking Payment of Planning-Related Fees or Development Contributions
Louth County Council is aware of fraudulent emails circulating that falsely claim to originate from local authority Planning Departments and seek payment of planning-related fees or development contributions.
The Council is advising members of the public, planning applicants, agents, architects, engineers, developers and other stakeholders to remain vigilant when receiving unsolicited emails relating to planning applications or requests for payment.
Louth County Council will only issue email correspondence from an official @louthcoco.ie email address. The Council will never ask recipients to obtain payment instructions by replying to an email.
If you receive an email that you believe may be fraudulent:
- Inspect the sender's email address carefully to check it has been sent from a legitimate @louthcoco.ie email address. Fraudulent email addresses are designed to closely resemble genuine local authority addresses and may look authentic at first glance.
- Do not click on any links or open attachments.
- Do not provide any personal, financial or banking information.
- Do not make any payment.
- Contact Louth County Council's Planning Department directly on 042 933 5457 to verify the communication.
Louth County Council encourages all planning applicants, agents and stakeholders to remain alert and to report any suspicious correspondence to An Garda Síochána or Louth County Council immediately.