Fish, game commissions warn of spoof license websites
With hunting season ramping up, state Fish and Boat Commission and Game Commission officials are warning anglers and hunters about online scams related to buying a license.
Both commissions have received reports of consumers purchasing “licenses” through third-party websites not connected to the state.
“Even though consumers didn’t suspect the third-party websites were phony, they sadly found that was the case when they didn’t receive their license,” said state Rep. Joseph Petrarca, D-Washington Township. “Some of these look-alike websites mimic the agencies’ branding, add in extra license fees, and may even ask for your personal information, like your Social Security number. Those are red flags that you risk wasting your money and put your personal information at risk.”
Anglers and hunters can ensure a proper transaction by visiting The Outdoor Shop at www.PA.WildlifeLicense.com.
For fishing licenses, a printable electronic version is immediately issued upon purchase. For a hunting license purchased online, an official email from the Pennsylvania Game Commission is sent and licenses are mailed within two weeks.
Anyone who encounters what appears to be a phony licensing website, or which does not link to The Outdoor Shop, should call 877-707-4085 (if fishing-related) or 717-787-2084 (hunting-related).
Victims of a license scam are asked to complete a complaint form to the Office of the Attorney General at AttorneyGeneral.gov. Click on the “Submit a Complaint” link.
Patrick Varine is a TribLive reporter covering Delmont, Export and Murrysville. He is a Western Pennsylvania native and joined the Trib in 2010 after working as a reporter and editor with the former Dover Post Co. in Delaware. He can be reached at pvarine@triblive.com.
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