ALTON – Scam emails targeting Alton residents are requesting immediate payment of fake invoices related to permits, the city recently warned.
The City of Alton posted a scam notice on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026 warning residents of a recent email scam. In their messages, the scammers request immediate payment of fraudulent invoices for City of Alton permits.
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The city said all official notifications related to permits will come from the specific email address of permits@cityofaltonil.gov. Notifications about permit fees will only come from the city’s automated system and never directly from a city employee.
City officials will also never request payments over the phone, via cryptocurrency, or through any third party website not using the exact domain address of bsaonline.com.
“Scammers are increasingly using advanced, targeted methods—including AI—to impersonate agencies and trick residents,” the scam notice states. “Please stay alert when receiving unexpected emails, calls, or payment instructions.”
An example scam email provided by the city demands immediate payment of a $4,950 invoice reportedly associated with a Special Use Permit application. The message repeatedly uses language implying a “sense of urgency,” a common tactic of scammers to get their victims to act quickly.
The scam email was sent by an email domain other than permits@cityofaltonil.gov and concludes with the signature: “Sincerely, City Employee.” It also requests a wire transfer, which city officials will never request over the phone or via email.
Anyone unsure about the legitimacy of a message they received can contact the city directly at 618-463-3500 or cityofaltonil.gov. See below for the example scam email from the city.
