Cook County warns of land services email scam targeting residents

Scammers posing as the Land Services Department have been targeting some Cook County residents via email, according to a county press release from April 27.

The county was informed by residents that they received an email impersonating a Land Services employee asking for $7,000 via wire transfer for a variance request.

The scam is occurring in several counties across the state and is the second time the scam has circulated in Cook County. County officials warned of the scam in the fall of 2025. In the press release, county officials reminded residents to be “aware and cautious.”

County officials said the scammers are sophisticated and the email may appear official. Residents are urged to double-check the accuracy of the email address.

An example of a correct email address domain is first name dot last name @cookcountymn.gov.

The scam email domain is PlanningCookCountyMN@usa.com, according to county officials and the usa.com is a “red flag to be aware of.”

“Please know that Cook County Land Services will never contact you by email requesting payment via wire transfer,” the press release read.

If residents have any questions, call Land Services at 218-387-3630. The county also recommends only using official payment methods such as E Permitting: https://mn-co-cook.onegov.rtvision.com/

Kalli Hawkins April 27, 2026