Wisconsin Consumer Protection

  • Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP):
  • Address: 2811 Agriculture Drive, P.O. Box 8911, Madison, WI 53708-8911
    • Phone: 1-800-422-7128 (Hotline) or 608-224-4953 (Main Line)
    • Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday, 7:45 AM to 4:30 PM (Central Time)
    • Email: datcphotline@wi.gov
  • Wisconsin No Call Program:
  • Wisconsin Consumer Protection Laws:
  • Wisconsin Do Not Call Law (Wis. Stat. § 100.52)
    • Wisconsin Deceptive Trade Practices Law (Wis. Stat. § 100.18)
    • Wisconsin Consumer Act (Wis. Stat. § 421.201 et seq.)
    • Wisconsin Debt Collection Practices Act (Wis. Stat. § 427.101 et seq.)
    • Wisconsin Telemarketing Sales Law (Wis. Stat. § 100.209)

When reporting a complaint or seeking assistance from these agencies, make sure to provide detailed information about the robocall, telemarketing, or debt collection call, including the date, time, and phone number used by the caller. This information will help them in their investigation and enforcement actions against violators.

Remember that staying informed about your rights and taking action against illegal practices is crucial in protecting yourself and others from fraudulent activities and harassment.

  • Wisconsin Office of Privacy Protection:
  • Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI):
  • Address: 201 W. Washington Ave., Suite 300, P.O. Box 8041, Madison, WI 53708-8041
    • Phone: 1-608-261-9555
    • Email: dfi@wisconsin.gov
  • Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI):
  • Address: P.O. Box 7873, Madison, WI 53707-7873
    • Phone: 1-800-236-8517 (In-state) or 1-608-266-3585 (Out-of-state)
    • Email: ocicomplaints@wisconsin.gov
  • Wisconsin Consumer Act (WCA) – Chapter 427: The Wisconsin Consumer Act provides protections to consumers in various financial transactions, including credit and debt matters. It outlines rules that debt collectors must follow when attempting to collect a debt, preventing abusive practices and harassment.
  • Wisconsin Telemarketing Sales Law (WTSL) – Chapter 100.209: The Wisconsin Telemarketing Sales Law regulates telemarketing activities in the state. It requires telemarketers to register with the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and comply with specific rules, such as maintaining “Do Not Call” lists and not making unsolicited robocalls.
  • Wisconsin Deceptive Trade Practices Law (WDTPA) – Chapter 100.18: The Wisconsin Deceptive Trade Practices Law prohibits deceptive business practices and false advertising, protecting consumers from fraudulent activities and misrepresentations.
  • Wisconsin Do Not Call Law – Chapter 100.52: The Wisconsin Do Not Call Law allows consumers to add their residential or cellular phone numbers to the state’s “No Call” list, preventing most telemarketers from calling them.
  • Wisconsin Debt Collection Practices Act – Chapter 427: The Wisconsin Debt Collection Practices Act outlines the rules that debt collectors must follow when attempting to collect a debt. It protects consumers from abusive practices, including repeated or harassing phone calls.

When dealing with robocall, telemarketing, or debt collection issues, understanding these laws and reaching out to the appropriate state agencies can help protect your rights as a consumer and assist in addressing the problem.

  • Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP):
  • Address: 2811 Agriculture Dr., P.O. Box 8911, Madison, WI 53708-8911
  • Phone: 1-800-422-7128 (In-state) or 1-608-224-4953 (Out-of-state)
  • Website: https://datcp.wi.gov/
  • Email: datcphotline@wisconsin.gov
  • Wisconsin No Call Program: The Wisconsin No Call Program allows consumers to register their phone numbers on the “No Call” list to reduce unsolicited telemarketing calls. Consumers can register their residential and cellular numbers to avoid unwanted calls.
  • Consumer Protection Hotline: Many states, including Wisconsin, have a consumer protection hotline. Wisconsin’s hotline, operated by the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection, provides a resource for consumers to report scams, fraud, and deceptive practices, including those related to robocalls and telemarketing.
  • Small Claims Court: If you’ve been harassed by debt collectors, you may be able to seek relief through Wisconsin’s small claims court. Small claims court allows individuals to sue for relatively small amounts of money, making it an accessible option for consumers dealing with debt collection issues.
  • Wisconsin Identity Theft and Consumer Protection Unit:
  • Address: P.O. Box 7857, Madison, WI 53707-7857
  • Phone: 1-608-266-1671
  • Website: https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/PrivacyProtection.aspx

It’s important to note that while these state-level agencies and laws aim to protect consumers, staying vigilant and cautious when receiving calls from unknown numbers can also help prevent falling victim to scams or fraudulent activities. If you believe you’ve received a robocall or telemarketing call that violates Wisconsin laws, you can report the incident to the appropriate state agencies for investigation and possible enforcement actions against the violators.