In roughly two weeks, Green Bay will take center stage of the pro football world as the 2025 NFL Draft takes place for the first time at historic Lambeau Field.

The three-day event April 24-26 is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors to the region to cheer — hopefully — who their favorite team chooses over seven rounds.

It also will draw the attention of identity thieves hoping to steal private information from those traveling to Green Bay or staying in surrounding communities to watch the draft.

With that in mind, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection has advice for consumers on how identity theft can occur and ways to reduce the risks.

Before and during the draft, scammers will likely use many methods to convince consumers to give up personal information, DATCP advises in a news release. Surveys, prize giveaways and online quizzes not affiliated with official draft events can be tempting. However, if they require participants to provide private data — even as simple as a name, birthdate or contact information — consumers should remember they have no control over what happens to that data after it is submitted. Many of these innocent-seeming collection methods are actually run by individuals and groups for the sole purpose of selling the personal information, according to DATCP.

Websites and apps often solicit personal information, and request device access and permissions that many consumers do not question. Bad actors may also create websites and apps with misleading names or branding to imply they are affiliated with the 2025 NFL Draft. Consumers should always refer to official event sources and retailers when registering or making purchases related to the draft.

When traveling to and from the draft, DATCP recommends consumers make purchases with a credit card because they offer built-in protections against fraud, allow the user to dispute fraudulent charges and can be quickly canceled if lost or compromised.

DATCP also encourages card users to be vigilant, as the data on a card can be stolen in several ways. Aside from physical theft, scammers can place “card skimmer” devices on a legitimate business payment processor device without the knowledge of the business. These devices record card data while it is being used to make a purchase. Card skimmers have been found on ATMs, gas station card readers and even retail business checkouts. Often, a small camera or fake keypad is installed to record the card’s PIN.

To protect against card skimmers, consumers should perform a brief inspection of the card reader device before they use their card. Beware if the card reader is misaligned or sticking out at a strange angle, the keypad feels flimsy or appears to be separating from the device, or if physically wiggling the card reader dislodges a card skimmer device or component. Devices sometimes called card “shimmers” function similarly but capture data from tap-to-pay transactions. Suspected card skimmers and shimmers should be reported to the business.

Many providers now build safety measures into their cards to prevent this form of theft. Consumers concerned about the vulnerabilities of an older credit card may consider requesting a new card from their provider with newer data security protections before traveling.

For more information and identity theft resources or for assistance with identity theft recovery, go to DATCP’s Consumer Protection webpage at ConsumerProtection.wi.gov or contact the Consumer Protection Hotline at (800) 422-7128 or DATCPHotline@wisconsin.gov.