Winnebago County, WI – Residents across Winnebago County are being reminded to stay vigilant as identity theft remains a growing threat, according to a Friday alert from the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office during Identity Theft Awareness Month – Week 4.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, identity theft can have long-lasting consequences, including damaged credit, financial losses, and months—or even years—of recovery. Officials emphasized that acting quickly after discovering suspicious activity can significantly reduce long-term harm.
Authorities recommend several immediate steps if personal or financial information has been compromised. These include contacting banks and credit card companies to close or reissue accounts, placing fraud alerts or freezing credit through all three major credit bureaus—TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax—and filing a report with local law enforcement.
The Sheriff’s Office also advises victims to file a report with IdentityTheft.gov, a Federal Trade Commission-managed website that helps individuals document identity theft and create a recovery plan. Changing passwords on affected accounts and closely monitoring financial statements for unusual activity are also strongly encouraged.
Several federal and nonprofit resources were highlighted for residents seeking help. The FBI-supported IC3.gov platform allows victims to report cybercrime, while AnnualCreditReport.com provides free access to credit reports that may reveal fraudulent activity. Cryptocurrency-related fraud can be reported to Chainabuse.com, and additional victim resources are available through Operation Shamrock.
The Sheriff’s Office ended its message with a reminder that identity theft is not a minor inconvenience—but a serious crime that requires swift action to limit damage.
Residents who believe they may be victims of identity theft are urged to report concerns promptly and use available recovery tools.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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