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ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Gwinnett County leaders are warning of a nationwide wire fraud scam that has recently targeted residents.

The scammers have impersonated local planning and zoning departments across the nation to ask zoning applicants to pay nonexistent fees, sending the requests to residents and businesses in official-looking emails.

The emails copy actual government employees' names, titles and email addresses, and may include fraudulent application approval fees or counterfeit approval letters.

County officials remind residents that they will never request payment via a money order, wire transfer or suspicious links. All communications, payments and fees will instead be sent and processed through GwinnettZIP.com.

Businesses and residents should not send a wire transfer, click on any links in emails or provide payment or personal information.

To report a suspicious email requesting zoning application fees, contact Gwinnett Planning and Development at (678) 518-6000 or email P D-PlanningZoning@GwinnettCounty.com.

County officials said that while scammers have recently targeted zoning applicants,  other departments and services have been subject to similar fraudulent requests across the country,  so all residents should remain aware and report suspicious requests to the correct agency.

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