How to report a scam in Wisconsin

Scammed? Call your bank or card company first. Calling quickly may improve the chance of stopping a payment, but recovery isn't guaranteed. Then use the list below.

Who to report to in Wisconsin

• Wisconsin DATCP, Consumer Protection. Consumer protection. Call (800) 422-7128.
• Your local police. File a report. Your bank may ask for it.

Phone numbers and links last verified Oct. 21, 2026. Check the agency's official contact page before calling.

Federal places to report (all states)

• FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov for most scams.
• FBI IC3: ic3.gov for online scams, crypto, and email payment scams.
• Identity theft: IdentityTheft.gov gives you a recovery plan.

Wisconsin scam numbers

FBI, 2025. Wisconsin residents reported 16,680 internet crimes to the FBI's IC3, 19th in the U.S. Reported losses were $194,227,722, 26th. That's 279.3 complaints per 100,000 people, 19th per person. (FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center, 2025 Internet Crime Report, state data appendix)

Crypto, 2025. Wisconsin residents filed 3,092 crypto complaints with reported losses of $87,426,944. (According to the FBI.)

Older adults, 2025. Wisconsin residents age 60 or older filed 3,014 complaints and reported losses of $92,041,492. (According to the FBI.)

FTC, 2024. Wisconsin had 53,520 fraud and other reports to the FTC. Reported fraud losses were $106.0 million, and the median (middle) loss was $357. Wisconsin ranked 35th of 50 states for reports per 100,000 people (908). It also had 8,798 identity theft reports, ranking 36th. The top three report types were imposter scams (16%), identity theft (14%), and credit bureaus (13%). (FTC, Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book 2024)

These numbers only count people who reported. Many people don't, so real losses are likely higher. FTC figures come from unverified consumer reports, not a survey.

Scams Wisconsin officials are warning about

• Utility impostors. In April 2026, DATCP warned about callers threatening to cut off power unless you pay now. (DATCP alert, April 22, 2026)
• Overdue toll texts. In January 2026, DATCP warned about fake overdue toll texts. (DATCP alert, Jan. 21, 2026)
• Fake government bills. In January 2026, DATCP warned about email and text messages from scammers posing as government offices. They send fake tax bills or permit fees and ask for a wire transfer. (DATCP alert, Jan. 27, 2026)
• Back-to-school scams. In June 2026, DATCP warned about fake social media ads with huge school-supply discounts, and about scams aimed at college students. (DATCP, June 11, 2026)

What to do right now

1. Stop all contact. Hang up and call the number on your utility bill.
2. Call your bank or card company and ask whether the payment can be stopped or reversed.
3. Change passwords on any account the scammer touched, and turn on two-step login.
4. Save proof: screenshots, texts, emails, call logs, receipts, and phone numbers.
5. Report it to the state agency listed above, plus the FTC or IC3.
6. Beware of "recovery" offers. A request for a fee to get your money back is a common warning sign of a recovery scam.

Nearby states

• How to report a scam in Minnesota
• How to report a scam in Illinois
• How to report a scam in Michigan

Learn more

• How to report a scam anywhere in the U.S.
• How a $25 million email payment scam worked
• The fake closing email that cost $1.3 million

Last checked October 2026. Phone numbers and links come from each agency's official website. Agencies change them, so check the agency's site if something doesn't work. FraudMeNot is an independent publisher. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting for any government agency listed here. Links go to official sites. We can't take reports or get your money back. General education only, not legal, financial, tax or security advice. No guarantee. Consult a qualified professional. Stories may be dramatized or composite; see each label. See our disclaimer. Found an error? Tell us.