Think before you click: Napa County urges the public to be on the lookout for phishing scams

NAPA COUNTY - Napa County has been made aware of phishing emails impersonating County departments and staff, requesting wire transfers or payments for permits or applications. These emails may appear legitimate at first glance, but they are fraudulent.

Here's how to protect yourself:

• Check the sender's email address carefully - Official County addresses will always end in @countyofnapa.org, not generic domains like @usa.com.
• When in doubt, contact us directly using official phone numbers or email addresses listed on our website countyofnapa.org.
• Do not send payment or personal information via email unless you're absolutely sure the request is legitimate.
• Be wary of urgent requests as scammers often use threatening language to create a sense of urgency to pressure you into taking action quickly.
• Never share personal information, like your passwords, social security numbers, and bank account details.
• Watch out for suspicious links - Before clicking on any link, hover your mouse over it to see the actual web address.
• Check for poor grammar and spelling as most phishing emails and messages contain grammatical errors and typos.
• Be skeptical of unsolicited offers promising prizes, refunds, or deals that seem too good to be true.

If you receive a suspicious message, please report it to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov.

Help us spread the word and protect others from falling victim to scams.