Fraudulent Emails Targeting City Customers
City urges customers to verify information
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX - The City of Corpus Christi is aware of fraudulent emails and invoices being sent to actual city customers.
A recent scam claimed to be from the City of Corpus Christi Planning Commission. It included a PDF form with instructions and information for wiring payment, including the bank name, account number, routing number, and SWIFT number, under a fictitious name, with the City of Corpus Christi as the beneficiary.
The City urges residents and anyone engaging with city departments to verify the legitimacy of any payment requests before proceeding. Here are a few methods to ensure safety:
- Contact the relevant department: Call the department from which you received the bill. Phone numbers can be found here: https://www.corpuschristitx.gov/department-directory/
- Identify signs of a fake email: Look for pixelated graphics and letterheads, typographical errors, or messages that create a sense of urgency to make payments.
- Verify the sender’s email domain. Official City communication will come from an address ending in @corpuschristitx.gov. Recent scam emails have used the @usa.com domain, which is not associated with the City.
- Access City services through the official website rather than clicking links within an email; City’s Official site: www.CorpusChristiTX.gov
- Email signatures that look incomplete or incorrect. Missing titles, wrong department names, or formatting that doesn’t match typical City signatures.
- If you’re still unsure of the legitimacy or need additional guidance, call 311 during business hours. 311 operators can assist in connecting with the appropriate department to confirm the validity of the invoice you've received.
Once a wire transfer has been made, recovering the funds is almost impossible. Therefore, it's crucial to verify any suspicious documents before taking action.
Media representatives requesting more information may contact Senior Public Information Officer Gabriela Morrow at 361-826-3583 or Gabrielam@corpuschristitx.gov.