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Fraud alert issued after users ‘targeted’ in Alexandria permit center scam

By James Cullum
The Alexandria Permit Center is located in the Redella S. “Del” Pepper Community Center at 4850 Mark Center Drive (via City of Alexandria)

The city issued a fraud alert yesterday after fake invoices were sent to customers using the Alexandria Permitting and Land Use System (APEX).

The city’s sent out an email on Wednesday (Sept. 18) stating that APEX users were being targeted. The city only allows permit applications through the system, and the city said that fake invoices are being mailed to customers.

According to the city:

Please be advised that there are fraudulent invoices being emailed to customers requesting payment to be remitted to an ACH account. The Permit Center does not accept or request ACH payments. Should you receive one of these invoices, notify the Alexandria Permit Center immediately.

Last month, the Virginia Department of Transportation warned of an E-ZPass texting scam, where fraudsters request payment for outstanding toll charges.

In April, an Alexandria woman was scammed of $1,000 after being told to pay fines for missing jury duty.

About the Author

  • Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.