Scam Alert: Fake Planning Commission Fee Invoices Target Ruidoso Applicants

October 5, 2026 (RUIDOSO, NM) — The Village of Ruidoso has been made aware of a fraudulent invoice targeting Planning Commission applicants and requesting payment of administrative fees.

The invoice did not originate from the Village of Ruidoso or Village staff. Planning Commission fees are currently waived. Do not make payment in response to this invoice or similar requests.

The fraudulent invoice may appear official, using Village of Ruidoso branding, Planning Commission information, case-specific details, and instructions for payment by wire transfer. It requests payment for purported application review, zoning, legal, administrative, and other fees.

Anyone who receives an unexpected invoice or payment request claiming to be from the Village of Ruidoso Planning Commission should not send payment, initiate a wire transfer, reply to the sender, or use payment instructions provided in the communication.

Instead, verify the request independently using contact information published on the Village of Ruidoso’s official municipal website.

Verify Before You Pay or Respond

This incident is an example of the government impersonation scams the Village is urging residents and businesses to watch for during Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Scammers may use official-looking logos, familiar names, publicly available information, and details that make a communication appear legitimate.

For guidance on recognizing suspicious communications and verifying whether a message actually came from the Village, read:

Is That Message Really From the Village? How to Verify Official Ruidoso Information
https://www.ruidoso-nm.gov/news-info/pll63672j9bklb2kswakkebs26lg4m

When in doubt, do not click, pay, reply, or provide personal information until the communication has been verified through an official Village source.

Residents may also call the Village of Ruidoso at 575-258-4343 for assistance reaching the appropriate department.