Fort Walton Beach warns businesses after fake city email bill targets local payments
Fort Walton Beach, Florida – A Fort Walton Beach business owner recently helped uncover a warning sign that could protect others across the community: a fake email bill made to look like it came from the city.
The message was not a sloppy scam. It used the official City of Fort Walton Beach seal, mentioned a real city project and carried the name of a city council member. It also asked for payment tied to supposed “processing” and “review” fees for an application. With enough accurate details and formal wording, the email was designed to appear believable.
But it was fraudulent.
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The business that received the bill noticed something was wrong and contacted the city directly. City officials said they were glad the owner checked before sending any payment, because the email was part of a more polished phishing attempt aimed at taking advantage of people and companies that do business with local government.
The city is now reminding residents, contractors and business owners that they will never receive a bill directly from the City of Fort Walton Beach for the processing of Permits/Inspections, Planning/Community Redevelopment Agency applications, Business Tax Receipts or Code Enforcement cases.
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Those services are handled through My Government Online, also known as MGO, a web-based service used by the city. Applications are submitted through the MGO portal, and billing is handled there as well. Anyone who has applied for one of these services should already have an MGO account with a unique username and password.
Through that account, users can follow the status of an application, review fees and make secure payments through the portal. Payments may also be made by phone with the city office or in person at 105 Miracle Strip Pkwy. However, city officials stressed one important point: payment by phone must be started by the customer. The city said it will never call someone to request payment.
Anyone who receives an unexpected bill, a suspicious email or any message that appears to be from the City of Fort Walton Beach is urged to contact the city before responding or paying. Questions about permits, inspections or related communications can be directed to Growth Management at 850-833-9504 or by email at [email protected].
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The city also pointed residents to its website for more information about My Government Online and noted that the incident reflects a broader trend of criminals impersonating city and county governments in payment-related phishing emails, a type of scam also addressed in an FBI public service announcement.
City officials said the best defense is simple: slow down, look carefully and ask before paying. If something feels uncertain, residents and businesses should reach out directly.
