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A scam targeting parents of University of Wisconsin-Madison students involved fraudsters impersonating UWPD officers, calling at night (between 2-3 a.m.) and claiming their child had been detained, demanding money for release. Madison Police Department received at least three reports of the scam calls, which used real officer names to appear credible, exploiting the fear and disorientation of parents awakened in the middle of the night.

Police and the Better Business Bureau are warning Wisconsin residents about a "sextortion" email scam in which fraudsters claim to have compromising video footage and demand approximately $2,000 in bitcoin, using publicly available personal information like phone numbers, addresses, and home photos to appear credible. The scammers, typically located in Africa, threaten to send the alleged videos to the victim's contacts unless payment is made; authorities advise recipients to ignore the emails and report them rather than respond, as the scammers will move on to other targets if no payment is received.

A widow named Kathy Stevens (pseudonym) lost $500,000 to a romance scam after meeting a man on a dating app who claimed to be an Italian-Australian scuba diver and oil rig worker with properties in Florida and Wisconsin. Over the course of their online relationship, the scammer built trust through daily conversations and a video call before requesting money, exploiting Stevens's loneliness following her husband's death. The case illustrates the vulnerability of grieving seniors to romance fraud schemes that use fabricated personas and emotional manipulation.

AARP hosted a "Scam Jam" educational event at Oak Creek Community Center in Wisconsin to help residents identify and prevent fraud. The event featured Tony Lup sharing his personal experiences being targeted by multiple scams including prize/trip offers and fake emergencies, emphasizing that anyone can be victimized but everyone can protect themselves by following advice like verifying unexpected calls and hanging up on suspicious requests.

The Wisconsin Better Business Bureau warns that investment and cryptocurrency scams are the most prevalent frauds targeting adults 55 and older. The BBB recommends being cautious of phone fraud with spoofed caller IDs, avoiding pressure to act immediately, and verifying unusual claims by calling official sources directly rather than trusting the caller's information.

Two sushi restaurant owners in Brevard County, Florida were accused of running a tech support scam that victimized elderly people across the country, with victims tricked into purchasing gift cards and wiring money after receiving fake computer warning messages. The investigation, which began in Wisconsin in 2023, resulted in the couple's arrest in late June, with one documented victim being a 76-year-old man who lost $14,300 (through $4,300 in gift cards and a $10,000 wire transfer to California).

Wisconsin consumers on government assistance programs are being targeted by scammers, particularly during Medicare open enrollment (starting October 15th) with calls offering new Medicare cards or claiming to be healthcare providers seeking sensitive information. A fraudulent app targeting SNAP recipients was shut down after charging users $4.99 monthly or up to $60 for lifetime access, while the legitimate EBT Edge app is free; consumers should never pay for government benefit apps and should only share Medicare numbers when initiating the call themselves.

AARP Connecticut is launching a new educational series to address the growing complexity of scams targeting older adults, with 400 different scam types reported in 2022. Seniors are frequently targeted because they tend to have more financial resources, and losses can range from hundreds to hundreds of thousands of dollars, with emotional and psychological impacts extending beyond financial harm. The free online series will cover topics including artificial intelligence and voice cloning scams, with a Connecticut man recently indicted for defrauding Wisconsin seniors of $200,000 through grandparent impersonation scams.

This educational piece from La Crosse, Wisconsin highlights the escalating prevalence of online scams leveraging social media, email, and mobile applications to exploit vulnerable individuals. Experts advise consumers to be skeptical of official-looking websites and too-good-to-be-true offers, avoid unusual payment methods like wire transfers and gift cards, and remain informed about scam tactics, as victims often experience significant financial and emotional consequences.

The city of Chetek, Wisconsin recovered $2.6 million stolen in a phishing scam where fraudsters impersonated a contractor for the city's wastewater treatment plant project and redirected a wire transfer to a fake account in November. The city borrowed funds to continue construction while investigating, then successfully recovered the full amount by March 1st after contacting law enforcement and the FBI. Chetek subsequently enhanced its security measures and employee training, joining other Wisconsin communities that have fallen victim to similar contractor impersonation scams in recent years.

The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center reported over $12.5 billion in total fraud losses nationally in 2023, with Wisconsin accounting for 7,683 complaints and $92 million in losses. The FBI Milwaukee field office released a list of common fraud alert questions to help consumers identify potential scams, including cryptocurrency and investment fraud, impersonation of banks or government agencies, tech support scams, romance scams, and cash-for-gift-card schemes. Consumers who suspect they have been targeted are encouraged to file complaints at www.ic3.gov.

The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center reports that Americans lost over $12.5 billion to fraud and scams in the previous year, with Wisconsin alone experiencing more than 7,000 complaints resulting in $92 million in losses. The FBI has released a list of common fraud warning signs including cryptocurrency investment schemes, impersonation of banks or government agencies, tech support scams, romance scams, and cash withdrawal schemes to help consumers identify if they may be targeted. Victims or those who suspect fraud are encouraged to report incidents to IC3 at www.ic3.gov.

Governor Evers signed Senate Bill 628 into law to address financial exploitation of vulnerable adults in Wisconsin. Representative Jerry O'Connor highlighted that financial abuse of vulnerable adults is prevalent, with surveys indicating that approximately two-thirds of such abuse is perpetrated by someone close to the victim.

Tech support scammers use fake pop-up warnings claiming a computer is locked or infected to frighten users into calling fraudulent support numbers, where victims may lose money, install malicious software, or divulge personal information. The FBI and FTC report these scams are generating record profits, though one Wisconsin woman avoided financial loss by immediately shutting down her computer and seeking help from a trusted IT professional. To avoid these scams, users should never call numbers on security pop-ups, never grant remote access to strangers, and instead contact trusted tech support or use security best practices like two-factor authentication and regular software updates.

The Wisconsin Better Business Bureau issued an alert about "can you hear me?" phone scams, where callers immediately ask that question to record a "yes" response for fraudulent purposes. Scammers use the recorded affirmation to authorize unauthorized purchases, target consumers with future scams, or extract personal information by impersonating banks, government agencies, and insurance companies. The BBB recommends screening calls with caller ID, hanging up on unfamiliar callers, joining the Do Not Call Registry, and monitoring financial statements.

A 23-year-old Chicago man was arrested in Verona, Wisconsin after defrauding an elderly woman of $30,000 through a tech support scam. The victim received a pop-up warning about a computer virus, called the provided "Apple Support" number, and was told to withdraw cash and give it to an IRS agent to prove her innocence, with promises of repayment. Police recovered the full $30,000 and arrested the suspect on theft by false representation charges.

A 23-year-old Chicago man was arrested in Verona, Wisconsin after nearly defrauding an elderly woman of $30,000 through a tech support scam. The suspect posed as an IRS agent after the victim received a fake virus warning on her computer, was directed to call fake "Apple Support," and was told she needed to withdraw cash to prove she wasn't involved in criminal activity. Police arrested the suspect after receiving an anonymous tip and conducting surveillance of the victim's residence.

An elderly woman in Dane County nearly lost $30,000 to a scammer posing as an IRS agent who claimed her money was involved in criminal activity and demanded cash as proof of innocence. Police arrested a 23-year-old man from Chicago after an anonymous tip led them to intercept him as he traveled back with the stolen funds. Law enforcement agencies across Wisconsin are warning residents that such IRS impersonation scams are common and particularly effective against elderly individuals, and recommend victims contact their financial institutions and discuss suspicious requests with trusted contacts before providing money or personal information.

This article is not relevant to elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse research. It describes a Wisconsin Department of Transportation highway construction project involving median lane closures and pavement repairs on Highway 18/151, expected to complete by mid-June. This is general infrastructure news and falls outside the scope of Elderus, which focuses on fraud and exploitation of elderly individuals.

This article is not about elder fraud or abuse, but rather political controversy surrounding a 2024 Wisconsin Senate candidate. While it mentions a lawsuit alleging elder abuse and negligent death at a retirement home, the article's primary focus is on political accusations and the candidate's disputed claims about nursing home voters, not on documenting an actual scam or fraud scheme affecting elders. **Note for Elderus database:** This item does not meet the criteria for inclusion as it addresses political commentary rather than documented elder fraud, scams, or abuse cases with clear victim impact or scheme details.

A Facebook phishing scam using posts with messages like "It Won't Be The Same Without Him" is circulating in Minnesota and Wisconsin, tricking users into clicking malicious links by exploiting emotions and the assumption that a friend has died. When clicked, the scam compromises Facebook accounts, allowing scammers to steal personal information and spread the scam to the victim's friends through fraudulent posts and tags. Users who fall victim should immediately reset passwords, check privacy settings, remove suspicious friends, run antivirus software, and report the malicious links to Facebook.

The Better Business Bureau Serving Wisconsin launched a new online resource on May 9th in recognition of the first "National Scam Survivor Day," designed to support individuals impacted by scams. The initiative encourages scam survivors to report their experiences and share their stories to help educate and protect others from similar fraud.

The Wisconsin Better Business Bureau launched an online Scam Survivors Toolkit to help people who have fallen victim to scams by providing personalized step-by-step guidance based on the type of scam and payment method involved. The tool aims to reduce stigma around scam victimization and encourage reporting, as individual reports help the BBB alert the broader community to prevent future incidents.

A 37-year-old Illinois man, Ligneshkumar Patel, was charged with stealing $148,000 in gold Krugerrand coins from a 73-year-old Edwardsville woman in March 2024 after scammers posing as PayPal convinced her to purchase the coins with her retirement funds and hand them over to him. Patel, arrested in Wisconsin while attempting to scam another victim, served as the middleman in the scheme and faces two felony counts. Police Chief Michael Fillback warned that such scams targeting vulnerable individuals through fake identity fraud alerts and high-pressure tactics demanding immediate payment have become increasingly common, and advised victims

Scammers are using automated voice messages impersonating banks to trick customers into revealing sensitive financial information like debit card and account numbers. Recent incidents in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Ohio targeted customers of Wayne Bank, banks in Madison, and Brookville National Bank with fake security breach alerts designed to prompt account reactivation. The advisory warns customers never to provide financial information over the phone in response to unsolicited calls and to independently verify such requests by contacting their bank directly.

Wisconsin Public Services warned customers of scam calls impersonating the utility company and falsely promising $50 refunds in exchange for credit card information. The scammers exploited knowledge of a company moratorium on service shutoffs, but WPS clarified that it never requires credit card information to issue refunds or credits, which are automatically applied to bills or mailed directly to customers. Customers with questions were urged to call WPS directly at 800-450-7260.

This article warns about Memorial Day-period scams targeting military members and veterans. A Wisconsin small business owner lost $166,515 to a fraudster impersonating an MBDA procurement director who ordered laptops but never paid. The BBB identifies common military-targeted scams including predatory loans, fake rental properties, misleading vehicle sales, fraudulent benefits buyouts, and high-pressure life insurance sales, recommending victims verify businesses, avoid wire transfers, protect their computer information, and research charities thoroughly before donating.

John F. Clarke, 55, a Des Moines man who targeted single women on dating sites by posing under aliases and gaining access to their phones and credit to purchase and resell electronics, was sentenced to up to 15 years in prison in Black Hawk County for probation violations connected to felony theft and lottery theft charges, with additional cases pending in other counties. Clarke had an extensive criminal history spanning decades with nearly two dozen felonies, and his arrest in December came after victims reported him on social media and law enforcement discovered he had expanded his scheme to multiple states including Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin Better Business Bureau provided tips to help consumers avoid hotel reservation scams during peak spring and summer travel booking season. Jim Temmer, president of the Wisconsin BBB, shared guidance on how to prevent falling victim to online hotel booking fraud.

**Summary:** Timothy Bartlett, 69, of Deltona, Florida, was arrested for defrauding a Tampa-area nonprofit organization of $5,000 by falsely posing as a cancer patient named "Sally Holmes" seeking living expense assistance. Investigators discovered Bartlett had perpetrated the same scam against at least four other nonprofits in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Tennessee, and Wisconsin that provide financial aid to cancer patients.

A 79-year-old Florida woman lost approximately $2,000 to a flight booking scam and was prevented from boarding a flight to her husband's funeral in Wisconsin after scammers posing as an Allegiant Airlines representative charged her card multiple times for a fraudulent ticket. Although Stainer received a fake confirmation code and was able to check in luggage and pass through TSA with a boarding pass, the airline's fraud detection system only flagged the fraudulent third-party purchaser after she arrived at the gate, preventing her from boarding. Allegiant acknowledged the scam occurred when she booked the same day as departure, stating their system would have caught the fraud had the ticket been purchase

A 79-year-old Central Florida woman missed her husband's funeral in Wisconsin after falling victim to an airline scam while attempting to book a last-minute flight from Orlando-Sanford International Airport. The scam was sophisticated enough to initially deceive the airline itself as well. The woman had to rebook her travel separately after a medical emergency prevented her from joining her family on their originally scheduled June 1 flight to attend her late husband's funeral service.

Wisconsin officials are warning about "financial grooming scams" where scammers build trust through dating apps and text messages before pressuring victims to invest in cryptocurrency schemes. In the past year, 22 Wisconsin residents lost $2.3 million to this scam, which targets people across all professions and educational backgrounds by using manipulative tactics and international crime organization scripts. Warning signs include unsolicited contact, requests to move conversations off dating apps, bragging about easy investment returns, and pressure to invest in cryptocurrency, with victims advised to report and preserve all communications with authorities.

Following severe storms in Janesville, Wisconsin, city officials warned residents about "storm chaser" contractors who exploit disaster damage by offering poor-quality repairs, demanding upfront payments, and then disappearing. Residents are advised to verify contractor credentials, seek recommendations from trusted sources like neighbors and insurance agents, and contact the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection if they encounter suspicious contractors or wish to file complaints.

Joanne Stainer, 79, lost approximately $2,000 to airline ticket scammers who charged her card multiple times in small increments when she called 411 seeking to book a last-minute flight to Wisconsin for her husband's funeral in June. After receiving a fraudulent confirmation code from someone posing as an Allegiant Airlines representative, Stainer was able to check bags and pass through TSA with a fake ticket, but was denied boarding at the gate when the airline's system finally flagged the fraudulent purchase. Allegiant Airlines confirmed the ticket was purchased through a third-party vendor flagged for previous fraud, but the late-day booking prevented their system from catching it

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The Wisconsin Better Business Bureau warned travelers ahead of July 4th of an increase in airfare scams targeting holiday travelers. Scammers were creating fake airline booking websites and customer service numbers, using fabricated flight cancellation notices to trick travelers into paying rescheduling fees or charging them for non-existent services. The BBB advised consumers to verify URLs and phone numbers, use secure websites, and contact airlines directly to confirm details before making payments.

In 2023, the Federal Trade Commission received over 192,000 fraud reports from military consumers (active service members, veterans, retirees, and families), resulting in $477 million in total losses, with nearly one-third of reports involving actual financial loss. The most common scams targeting this population included imposter scams, online shopping fraud, investment schemes ($147 million from under 4,000 reports), identity theft (over 39,000 reports), housing scams, and fake government benefits schemes. Wisconsin officials emphasized that military consumers are disproportionately targeted by scammers and highlighted July as Military Consumer Protection Month to raise awareness.

Wisconsin's Department of Financial Institutions launched a public investment scam tracker in July 2024 after Wisconsinites lost nearly $3.55 million to cryptocurrency fraud and financial grooming between January 2022 and June 2024, with most cases involving pig butchering scams or fraudulent crypto trading platforms. The searchable tracker, populated with consumer complaints, aims to alert the public and deter scammers by increasing transparency, while the DFI advises citizens to avoid sending money to unknown online contacts and to use only registered cryptocurrency services that comply with regulatory standards.

TRICARE beneficiaries in the Augusta area are being targeted by phishing scams via text messages claiming to come from Wisconsin Physicians Service (the TRICARE For Life contractor) and threatening coverage expiration due to nonpayment. TRICARE reminded beneficiaries that the agency never contacts them by phone or text requesting payment or personal information, and advised them to report suspicious messages to their TRICARE contractor or the Defense Health Agency's Office of the Inspector General.

College students are vulnerable to multiple scams as they return to or begin school, including phishing text messages impersonating financial aid departments seeking login credentials, housing scams on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist offering fake rental listings, and study scams where fraudsters offer old exams then attempt blackmail. The Better Business Bureau advises students to verify suspicious communications directly with their institution, avoid sharing payment information with unknown parties, and not rush housing decisions when anxious or unfamiliar with their surroundings.

The Manitowoc County Public Safety Committee is hosting an educational event titled "Common Scams and Frauds Targeting Seniors" in partnership with Wisconsin DATCP on August 22nd, with sessions at two locations (Manitowoc County Office Complex at 11 a.m. and Kiel Community Center at 5 p.m.). The free presentations aim to educate seniors about rising scam threats in the community and provide preventative measures, with local police available to answer questions.

The Better Business Bureau warns college students, particularly freshmen ages 18-24, about six prevalent scams: fake apartment listings (where scammers copy real listings and request deposits for properties that don't exist), fraudulent credit card offers targeting first-time users, identity theft (requiring regular credit report monitoring), fake scholarship and grant offers, and other schemes exploiting their inexperience. The BBB emphasizes the importance of verifying sources, researching offers that seem too good to be true, and protecting personal information to prevent financial and identity-related harm.

Scammers in Prescott, Wisconsin are impersonating IRS agents via phone calls and text messages, claiming victims owe back taxes and threatening arrest warrants to create urgency and panic. The Prescott Police Department advises residents to hang up and contact the IRS directly rather than responding to such unsolicited communications.

The Holmen Public Library hosted a free educational program on September 12 titled "Common Scams Targeting Seniors," featuring Jeff Kersten from Wisconsin's Division of Trade and Consumer Protection. Attendees learned about warning signs of fraud targeting seniors, strategies for protecting personal information, and steps to take if victimized by a scam.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services notified nearly 947,000 Medicare beneficiaries that their personal information, including Social Security numbers and Medicare claim numbers, may have been compromised in a data breach affecting Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corp., a claims processor in six states. The breach occurred between May 27-31, 2023, through a vulnerability in MOVEit file-transfer software, but was only discovered during a May 2024 security review; CMS and the contractor reported no confirmed cases of identity fraud resulting from the exposure but are advising beneficiaries to monitor their accounts.

The Wisconsin Better Business Bureau reported a significant rise in investment scams, with over 4,000 scam reports filed through their Scam Tracker and a median loss of $4,000 per victim in 2023. The BBB Institute identified investment and cryptocurrency fraud as the riskiest scam type of 2023 due to their interconnected nature.

Scammers are impersonating law enforcement officers from multiple Wisconsin agencies, including the Fond du Lac Police Department, Manitowoc Police Department, and Winnebago County Sheriff's Office, using spoofed phone numbers and posing as specific officers. The scams involve false claims of arrest warrants and requests for DNA samples or large cash payments via Bitcoin, with perpetrators demonstrating detailed knowledge of DNA procedures to increase credibility. Law enforcement agencies warn that legitimate police will never request DNA samples or cryptocurrency payments and urge citizens to report such calls.

The Monroe Police Department's incident report for September 6-12, 2024 (part three) documents two fraud cases: one involving a compromised Social Security number with no financial loss after the complainant froze accounts, and another involving unauthorized credit card charges made in Greendale, Wisconsin. The report also includes various other incidents including traffic stops, accidents, disputes, and welfare checks across the city during this period.

The Manitowoc County Public Safety Committee is hosting final educational sessions on scams and frauds targeting seniors on September 25th at two locations: the Lester Public Library in Two Rivers (11:00 a.m.-noon) and the Whitelaw Fire Department (4:00-5:00 p.m.). Ben Merens from the Wisconsin DATCP will lead the sessions, which are open to residents of all ages to learn how scammers target seniors and prevention strategies.