MONROE - A number of employees at local businesses recently found unsolicited emails on their computers containing personal information, which prompted a complaint to the Monroe Police Department.
Chief Fred Kelley said in a press release that the department received notice just before 2 p.m. Thursday of messages sent to workers' email addresses containing information like the employee's social security number. Some included the employee's date of birth. Other emails had both sets of information.
Monroe Captain Jerry Dahlen said city workers and employees at Woodford State Bank received messages with the compromising information.
"They all seemed to be sent to work emails," Dahlen said. "We haven't heard any word about personal emails."
The messages claimed to be from a major delivery service, but the release indicated employees had no reason to be contacted about deliveries, meaning the messages are likely a scam.
MPD contacted the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection about the emails. Officials are currently looking to identify a source of the messages.
"It sounded like it was something they hadn't really seen before either," Dahlen said.
The department urged caution to any residents who may receive similar emails, specifically recommending the emails be deleted without opening any attachments or clicking any possible links included in the messages. Recipients can make a copy of the email itself or take a photo to show local officers but should delete the message as quickly as possible.
The press release specified that anyone who receives this type of email should contact their local police department.
Chief Fred Kelley said in a press release that the department received notice just before 2 p.m. Thursday of messages sent to workers' email addresses containing information like the employee's social security number. Some included the employee's date of birth. Other emails had both sets of information.
Monroe Captain Jerry Dahlen said city workers and employees at Woodford State Bank received messages with the compromising information.
"They all seemed to be sent to work emails," Dahlen said. "We haven't heard any word about personal emails."
The messages claimed to be from a major delivery service, but the release indicated employees had no reason to be contacted about deliveries, meaning the messages are likely a scam.
MPD contacted the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection about the emails. Officials are currently looking to identify a source of the messages.
"It sounded like it was something they hadn't really seen before either," Dahlen said.
The department urged caution to any residents who may receive similar emails, specifically recommending the emails be deleted without opening any attachments or clicking any possible links included in the messages. Recipients can make a copy of the email itself or take a photo to show local officers but should delete the message as quickly as possible.
The press release specified that anyone who receives this type of email should contact their local police department.