Senior Scam Prevention & Fraud Resources in Wisconsin
I. Overview: Wisconsin’s Senior Population & Key Cities
As of 2024, Wisconsin has an estimated population of 5.9 million, with over 1.2 million residents aged 65 and older, accounting for approximately 20.3% of the total population. The state’s rapidly aging population makes older Wisconsinites increasingly vulnerable to scams involving Medicare fraud, phishing, fake tech support, grandparent schemes, and financial exploitation.
The top three cities in Wisconsin — where a large number of seniors live and report scams — are:
- Milwaukee (approx. 570,000 people)
- Madison (approx. 280,000 people)
- Green Bay (approx. 110,000 people)
These cities see consistent reports of elder fraud, often initiated via phone, email, or deceptive websites. Awareness, prevention, and trusted reporting tools are critical to protecting older residents.
II. 2024 Victim Report: How Scammers Targeted Wisconsin’s Seniors
In 2024, Wisconsin had 1,785 victims aged 60+ who reported losses totaling $50,525,457.
Loss by Crime Type
| Crime Type | Loss Amount |
| Investment | $15,857,817 |
| Tech Support | $11,955,199 |
| Government Impersonation | $3,500,307 |
| Romance | $4,834,426 |
III. Emergency & Official Contacts
Local Police Departments – Financial Crimes & Elder Support
1. Milwaukee Police Department – Sensitive Crimes Division
- Phone: (414) 933-4444 (non-emergency)
- Website: city.milwaukee.gov/police
- Ask to report financial fraud or elder exploitation through the Sensitive Crimes Unit.
2. Madison Police Department – Investigative Services
- Phone: (608) 255-2345 (non-emergency)
- Website: www.cityofmadison.com/police
- Request assistance from the Financial Crimes or Community Policing Division.
3. Green Bay Police Department – Financial Crimes
- Phone: (920) 448-3200 (non-emergency)
- Website: www.gbpolice.org
- Ask for help with elder fraud, identity theft, or scam investigations.
FBI & Federal Scam Reporting
FBI Milwaukee Field Office
- Phone: (414) 276-4684
- Website: www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/milwaukee
Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
- Website: www.ic3.gov
- Use to report phishing, tech support scams, government impersonation, and other online frauds.
Wisconsin Attorney General – Elder Fraud & Protection
Wisconsin Department of Justice – Consumer Protection Unit
- Consumer Hotline: (800) 422-7128
- Website: www.doj.state.wi.us
- Provides resources, complaint forms, and fraud alerts tailored for senior residents.
Statewide Elder Services & Medicare Fraud Reporting
Wisconsin Adult Protective Services (APS)
- To report abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation:
Call your local county APS office (found via DHS) or statewide helpline. - Website: www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/aps
Wisconsin Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)
- Phone: (888) 818-2611
- Website: www.wisconsinsmp.org
- Assists with reporting Medicare billing fraud and medical identity theft.
Wisconsin Department of Health Services – Aging & Disability Resource Centers (ADRC)
- Statewide ADRC Helpline: (608) 266-2536
- Website: www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/adrc
- Offers elder abuse resources, legal help, and financial safety education.
Be Smart. Be Skeptical. Be Safe.
- Wisconsin seniors lose millions of dollars annually to preventable scams — often due to urgency, fear, or confusion.
- Save these numbers and share them with family, friends, and community leaders.
- Visit our Education Center to explore scam prevention guides, real examples, and response steps.
- If something feels wrong, trust your instinct. Stop and report. You are not alone.
Share Your Story
Have you or a loved one experienced a scam, or stopped one just in time? Your story could help protect someone else.
Share Your Story