The City of Southfield has been made aware of fraudulent payment scams targeting applicants involved in the Planning process. While the City has notified affected applicants, we encourage everyone involved in the Planning process to review the checklist below to help identify suspicious payment requests and protect themselves from fraud.

Before You Pay, Check the Following:

□ Know when payment is due. Planning application fees are collected at the beginning of the application process.

□ Verify the sender. Legitimate payment notifications come through the City's BS&A system and direct you to the City's BS&A portal.

□ Never pay by wire transfer. The City of Southfield will never request payment by wire transfer.

□ Be cautious of urgency. Scammers often pressure you to pay immediately or threaten delays if payment isn't made.

□ Inspect links before clicking. Hover over links (on a computer) or press and hold (on a mobile device) to preview the web address before opening it.

□ Watch for red flags. Unexpected invoices, unfamiliar email addresses, spelling or grammar mistakes, or changes to normal payment procedures should be treated as suspicious.

□ When in doubt, verify. Contact the Planning Department directly using a trusted phone number—not the contact information provided in a suspicious email.

Need to Verify a Payment Request?

Call the City of Southfield Planning Department at 248.796.4150 before submitting payment.

Remember: It's always better to verify first than to risk sending money to a scammer.