Horry County is warning property owners, developers, agents, and residents about fraudulent emails that impersonate county Planning and Zoning staff and demand payment of fake fees.
The county recently learned that an agent for an applicant with an active rezoning case received an email that appeared to come from a county planner. The email cited real case information and attached an official-looking invoice requesting an “approval fee” by wire transfer. The recipient recognized the scam and reported it, and no money was lost. The FBI issued a national warning about this scheme in March 2026.
Criminals use publicly available case information and staff names to make these emails look legitimate. Warning signs include:
• A sender address that includes the county's name but does not end in @horrycountysc.gov, for example [planningdept.horrycountysc.gov@usa.com]
• A request for payment by wire transfer, payment app, gift card, or cryptocurrency
• Payment instructions that are available only by replying to the email
• Instructions to keep all communication in email rather than calling the county
• Warnings that your application or hearing will be delayed if you do not pay immediately
Horry County does not request application or permit fees by wire transfer through email.
If you receive a suspicious fee request, do not reply, click links, or open attachments. Call Planning and Zoning at 843-915-5340 to verify before paying anything. Always use the phone number listed on the county website, never a number provided in the email.
If you have already sent a payment, contact your bank immediately to try to stop or recall the transfer, then file a report with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.
For more information, read the county's incident brief.