(FEB. 27, 2026) — Cherokee County officials are alerting residents and applicants to a recent increase in fraudulent emails targeting individuals involved in public hearing cases.
“In recent months, several applicants have reported receiving scam emails requesting payment for their application,” said Cherokee County Zoning Manager Thomas Trawick. “These messages falsely appear to be associated with government officials and often attempt to create a sense of urgency to prompt immediate payment or the release of personal information in order to process or accept public hearing applications. Cherokee County does not request payment through unsolicited email communications.”
All reported incidents have been forwarded to the County’s Information Technology Department for review. As a precautionary measure, the County will be adding a scam awareness disclaimer to its website to help protect residents and applicants.
How to Protect Yourself
Residents are encouraged to follow these steps if they receive a suspicious message:
Pause and Verify
Pause – Scammers often create urgency and may pose as government officials requesting payment or sensitive information. If a request seems unusual or unexpected, do not respond immediately.
Verify – Before sending money or sharing personal information, verify the request by contacting Cherokee County staff directly using official contact information available on the County’s website.
If You Believe You Have Been Targeted
If you suspect you have been the victim of a scam:
- Contact your bank immediately and notify Cherokee County staff.
- Consider filing a report with your local law enforcement agency.
Please note that if funds are voluntarily transferred to a scammer, recovery options may be limited.
Residents with questions or concerns are encouraged to contact Cherokee County Planning and Zoning at 678-493-6101 or planning@cherokeecountyga.gov.
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MEDIA CONTACT
Erika Neldner, Communications Director
ebneldner@cherokeecountyga.gov | 678-493-6015
