Aug 1, 2019
Posted at 2:45 p.m. on August 1, 2019
The Brillion News
MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is
urging the public to beware of online hunting and fishing license scams.
The DNR is aware of at least
two websites appearing to offer fishing or hunting licenses. After paying a
fee, consumers only receive information on how to apply for a hunting or
fishing license.
These sites also collect
sensitive personal data as part of their unauthorized transactions.
“You will not receive a valid
fishing license from these misleading websites. But, you will be charged
non-refundable fees despite the money-back guarantee declared on the site,” said
Kimberly Currie, DNR Director of Customer and Outreach Services. “The best way
to make sure you don’t fall prey to these scammers is to purchase your license
directly from the DNR or its authorized agents.”
Anglers can securely purchase
a valid fishing license for the state of Wisconsin
in the following three ways:
At a Wisconsin DNR Service
Center, or
Through an independent license sales agent authorized
by DNR – such as a local sporting goods store, large discount store or
local bait and tackle shops – using the “GoWild” point of sale terminal,
or
From the department’s only official online
license sales site, GoWild.
The Wisconsin DNR provides
links from its homepage to a safe, secure online purchasing site.
The DNR also provides
information about where to purchase licenses in person, links to free copies of
Wisconsin regulations and helpful tutorials on
the DNR website under Licenses & Regulations.
If you think you may have
already been scammed by one of these sites, you can file a complaint with the
Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection by calling the hotline
at 1-800-422-7128 or email datcphotline@wi.gov.