EAU CLAIRE COUNTY, Wis. — Eau Claire County officials are warning residents and businesses about a fraudulent invoice scam currently circulating via email.
The scam involves fake invoices sent under the name “Matt Michels”, falsely claiming affiliation with the Eau Claire County Planning & Development Department and requesting payment for fabricated or unclear services.
The emails appear legitimate, often referencing planning or development services, but they are not connected to Eau Claire County or any of its employees.
Key Scam Details:
Fake Sender Name: Matt Michels
False Affiliation: Eau Claire County Planning & Development
Tactic: Email invoice requesting payment
Domain Warning: Emails do not come from eauclairecounty.gov
Eau Claire County emphasizes that Matt Michels and all county staff are not involved in this scam. These fraudulent emails are sent from unofficial domains and are attempts to impersonate public employees for financial gain.
What to Do:
If you receive such an invoice:
Do not pay or respond
Verify the email by contacting the Planning & Development Department directly using official contact details from the county website
Report the suspicious email to county authorities
Residents and business owners are urged to stay vigilant and double-check any invoice or request claiming to be from Eau Claire County before taking action.
