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SOME FISHERMEN REEL IN THEIR CATCH ALONG THE SHORE. >> THERE’S NO STRETCH -- STRESS. MAX: HE HAS BEEN DOING THIS MORE THAN 40 YEARS. RENEWING HIS FISHING LICENSE ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. >> THEY HAVE ALL THE STAMPS, SOME PLACES DON’T HAVE THE STAMPS YOU NEED FOR OFFSHORE. MAX: OTHERS HAVE NOT BEEN TAKING THE APPROACH AS OF LATE. >> THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS IT HAS INCREASED. WE REALIZE THAT THERE ARE SOME FRAUDULENT WEBSITES OUT THERE THAT ARE PAYING FOR ADVERTISEMENTS BASED ON THE TOP OF INTERNET SEARCH ENGINES TO SELL HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSES. MAX: DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE SPOKESPERSON SAID WEBSITES ARE ACTING AS A NECESSARY BROKERS. >> YOU DON’T NEED TO HAVE THIS BROKER BETWEEN. THEY ARE CHARGING UP TO 100% EXTRA MAX:. MAX:SOME ARE ALSO TAKING PERSONAL INFORMATION LIKE SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS TO AVOID OVERPAYING AND GIVING PERSONAL INFORMATION, HERE ARE THE FOUR WAYS TO OBTAIN A LICENSE OR FRISCH -- FISH AND WILDLIFE. A SPORTING GOODS STORE, OR BAIT AND TACKLE SHOP APPROVED I FISH THEM ALL MY. THROUGH THE AUTOMATED SYSTEM ONLINE, OR BY PHONE. USING ONE OF THESE SERVICES IS THE SAFEST WAY TO ENJOY’S PFISHING -- ENJOY FISHING ALL SUMMER LONG.

Advertisement California wildlife officials investigate sites acting as license brokers More than 650 customers used websites Share Shares Copy Link Copy

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is warning prospective hunters and fishermen about several websites acting as a go-between in order to obtain licenses. CDFW first became aware of the issue about two months ago when just one or two people issued complaints with the department. At that point, the department thought perhaps something suspicious was happening, or it was result of user error. Weeks later, the complaints began to stack up, and CDFW discovered several websites serving as hunting and fishing license brokers. "In the past couple months, it's increased pretty significantly, and we realized that there are some fraudulent websites out there that are paying for advertising space on the top of internet search engines to sell hunting and fishing licenses from the state of California," said Jordan Traverso, CDFW deputy director of communications, education and outreach. "What they're essentially doing is brokering a deal between our actual automated license data system and the customer, which isn't necessary."In some cases, the websites are charging customers 100 percent of the cost of a fishing license, which is about $48.50, Traverso explained.Some of the complaints have involved the websites reaching back out to customers to ask for more money or for personal information, like a military identification number or social security number, Traverso said."They're actually in-taking personal identity information and for what they're going to use it for, I really don't know," she said. CDFW is investigating to see if it's more widespread than this initial discovery and has sent cease and desist letters to the websites. Here are the three sites the department has identified so far:onlinefishinglicense.comfishinglicense-usa.comhuntinglicense.onlineTraverso said 656 customers to date have used these sites, but it's not clear the degree to which each person has been impacted. Some, she said, actually received their licenses."The bottom line is that it's completely unnecessary. It's fraudulent for them to say it's needed at all or that it helps at all," she said. "You can go directly to our website and get your fishing license and hunting licenses from the department."Here are the four ways to obtain a license, according to CDFW:Through a CDFW license sales office Through an independent license sales agent authorized by CDFW (such as a local sporting goods store, large discount store, or a bait and tackle shop) Online through CDFW's Automated License Data System (ALDS) Over the telephone through CDFW's authorized Telephone Sales agent. Telephone Sales can be reached at (800) 565-1458.Customers who believe they've used one of these websites are urged to report their experience to CDFW at ReportFraud@wildlife.ca.gov.