Scam alert: Portage County name used in fraud

STEVENS POINT — Portage County officials are warning residents about a scam involving fake invoices that have instructions to pay “fees” on permits or application for items such as “Application Review & Processing”, “Zoning & Compliance Assessment”, “Legal & Administration”, and “Public Notification & Documentation”.
The fraudulent and scam email and invoice appear to come from Portage County government departments such as the “Portage County Planning Commission.” The email may reference real permit application information from meeting agendas. Scammers use that information to create fake invoices which instruct the recipient to pay “fees” to continue the approval process. Portage County officials emphasize that these types of emails and invoices are not legitimate and should be disregarded.
The Portage County Planning and Zoning Department will never request money to be wire transferred and will make all applicants aware of required fees.
If you receive a suspicious invoice like the ones described above, please call the Portage County Sheriff’s Office at 715-346-1400.
Residents can verify the status of a Portage County permit or application and its applicable fees by calling the Planning and Zoning Department at 715-346-1334.