BOCC warns of fraudulent Planning Department invoices

January 7, 2026

By Soncirey Mitchell
Reader Staff

Bonner County Board of Commissioners Chair Brian Domke warned residents Jan. 6 of an ongoing scam using fraudulent Planning Department invoices. The phishing scam has been operating since at least October 2025, but has recently increased output, targeting members of the community with ongoing applications with the county department.

“I was made aware by the Planning Department yesterday that they’re seeing an uptick in fraudulent invoices being sent out,” said Domke at the Jan. 6 regular BOCC business meeting. “Apparently, the folks who are sending out these fraudulent Planning Department invoices have increased the quality of the appearance of these fraudulent invoices to make them look more and more real, causing more confusion for folks.”

The scammers supplement the forgeries with targeted information on specific applications, which is available to the public on the list of current projects at bonnercounty.id.gov/departments/Planning.

*BOCC commissioners (L to R): Brian Domke, Asia Williams and Ron Korn. Photo by Soncirey Mitchell*

“The documents people are receiving — these emails — are not the way our county sends out invoices or asks for fees to be paid, so please call and confirm before sending any kind of a payment and make sure it’s a legitimate fee,” said Domke. “Just because you have a project going on, or have actually submitted an application for a permit, [that] does not mean that the invoice you’ve received is actually accurate and real.”

Domke cautioned residents not to use links, email addresses or phone numbers included in such emails, and to instead call 208-265-1458 or visit the Planning Department directly at the Bonner County Administration Building (1500 Hwy. 2, Suite 208, in Sandpoint).