09/30/2026
Sheriff’s Office warns residents about Planning & Zoning Scams
The Wagoner County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents to be cautious of scams involving property, zoning, building permits, code enforcement, and other Planning & Zoning matters.
Scammers may attempt to contact property owners by phone, text message, email, mail, or in person while claiming to represent a county office or government agency. Their goal may be to obtain money, personal information, banking information, property documents, or other sensitive information from unsuspecting residents.
A scammer may tell a property owner that:
• Their property is in violation of a zoning or building regulation.
• They must immediately pay a fine or fee to avoid legal action.
• A permit, inspection, zoning change, or property approval requires an immediate payment.
• Their property could be seized, condemned, or subject to other action if payment is not made.
• A county employee or official is demanding payment through a particular payment app, wire transfer, gift card, cryptocurrency, or other unusual method.
• They need to provide personal, financial, or property information over the phone or through an unsolicited website.
Scammers may use official-sounding names, logos, documents, or other information to make their communications appear legitimate. Residents should not assume a communication is legitimate simply because the person contacting them claims to work for the County.
Wagoner County residents who receive a questionable notice or payment demand concerning zoning, building permits, code enforcement, property development, or addressing should independently verify the information before sending money or providing personal information.
Wagoner County's Planning & Zoning Department handles matters including land development, home-building permits and standards, zoning changes, code enforcement, and addressing. The department can be reached directly at 918-485-8123 or through [email protected]. The Planning & Zoning office is located at 202 N. Casaver Ave., Wagoner, Oklahoma.
Residents should use contact information obtained independently from an official county source rather than using a phone number, email address, or website supplied by a suspicious caller or message.
Residents should be especially cautious when someone:
• Demands immediate payment or threatens immediate consequences.
• Requests payment by gift card, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, or another unusual method.
• Refuses to allow you time to verify the information.
• Contacts you unexpectedly and asks for sensitive personal or financial information.
• Provides a phone number or website that you cannot independently verify.
• Claims that normal county procedures do not apply to your situation.
• Pressures you to keep the transaction or conversation secret.
If you have already provided financial or personal information, sent money, or believe you have been the victim of a scam, contact your financial institution immediately and report the incident to law enforcement. Residents may contact the Wagoner County Sheriff's Office at 918-485-3124. For emergencies, call 911.
Wagoner County Sheriff Chris Elliott stated, “When in doubt, stop and verify. Government offices will have established procedures for permits, zoning matters, inspections, and payments. Residents should never feel pressured into making an immediate payment or providing sensitive information simply because someone claims to be a county official.”
The Wagoner County Sheriff's Office encourages residents to share this information with family members, neighbors, and anyone who owns property in Wagoner County.
