Beware of Scam Invoice Emails

The City of Santa Barbara is alerting the community of scam invoice emails impersonating City departments and requesting payment. These fraudulent messages may appear official, using logos or language meant to look authentic, but they are not from the City. 

The City of Santa Barbara will never ask you to wire transfer money under any circumstances. For secure transactions and services, always use Accela Citizen Access (ACA). 

Scammers often use tactics designed to pressure or confuse recipients. To protect yourself, keep the following red flags in mind: 

How to Spot a Scam 

• False sense of urgency: Scammers may claim your account is at risk or urgent action is required to push you into quick decisions. 

• Requests for sensitive information: A legitimate business will never ask for your password, PIN, or one-time codes via phone or text. 

• Unusual payment methods: Any demand for wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency is a strong sign of fraud. 

• Suspicious language: Watch for spelling errors, awkward phrasing, or inconsistent formatting. These are common clues that the email is not legitimate. 

• Unrecognized senders or links: Verify the sender’s email address carefully and avoid clicking links if anything looks unusual. 

If you receive a suspicious invoice or communication claiming to be from the City, do not respond, click links, or send payment. Instead, contact the City directly using verified phone numbers or websites. 

Stay vigilant and share this information to help protect others in our community.