Recap: Green Bay Scam Jam - October 16, 2025

AARP Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Elder Justice Coalition hosted a Scam Jam at UW-Green Bay on October 16, 2025. The event was designed to inform attendees about the latest scams and to provide an opportunity to connect directly with professionals working to fight fraud.

The organizations listed below are participating in our resource fair at this event. Whether you are looking to file a complaint, take action against scammers, find more information and support, or simply connect with your community, these organizations are here to help.

AARP Fraud Watch Network
AARP is a non-profit non-partisan organization that offers a free fraud prevention program called the Fraud Watch Network. Visit our website for guides on common scams, articles about trending fraud stories, and more. Contact our state office to schedule a presentation in your community!

Website: aarp.org.fraudwatchnetwork (Spanish: www.aarp.org/fraude)
Wisconsin State office Email: wistate@aarp.org
Wisconsin State office Phone: 866-448-3611
Fraud Watch Network Helpline: 877-908-3360
Fraud Watch Network Support groups: aarp.org/support


Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Brown County
The ADRC exists to empower and enrich the lives of older adults, adults with disabilities, and their caregivers.
Website
Phone: (920)448-4300 | Relay 711
Contact


Better Business Bureau Serving Wisconsin
The Better Business Bureau is a non-profit organization that has been working to advance marketplace trust for 113 years. They provide balance by calling out substandard business behavior (scams, fraud, etc) and recognizing ethical, trustworthy businesses through the BBB Accreditation program.

The BBB processes complaints and assists with disputes between consumers and businesses and offers tens of thousands of free reports on businesses (www.BBB.org) and charities (www.give.org). The BBB provides consumer education about scams and fraud through the BBB Wisconsin Speakers Bureau. Click here for a list of topics, and to request a speaker at your next event.
Report scams to BBB.org/ScamTracker
Website
Phone: 414-847-6000 (9 am - 4pm, M-F)


WI Dept. of Agriculture Trade & Consumer Protection
The Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is Wisconsin's primary consumer protection agency. Visit their website to learn more about fraud and file a report if you suspect a scam. You can also contact DATCP to schedule free community presentations.
Website
Helpline: (800) 422-7128
Email: DATCPHotline​​@wi.gov​
Learn more about DATCP's presentations


WI Dept. of Financial Institutions (DFI)
DFI is dedicated to protecting the safety and soundness of Wisconsin’s financial institutions, safeguarding the investing public, facilitating commerce, and increasing financial capability throughout the state. Contact DFI to learn more about financial matters and to file a complaint.
Website
Phone: (608) 261-9555
File a complaint here.


WI Elder Justice Coalition
Wisconsin's Elder Justice Coalition collaborates with leading state agencies, statewide organizations and non-governmental agencies to bridge gaps in coordination of needed services, to raise public awareness and to advocate for elder justice in Wisconsin.
Website


Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin
is committed to supporting all people through life’s challenges and transitions. They offer crisis services, parent education & youth development, mental health services, and victim services.
Website
Phone: 920-436-6800


Fortress Forensics Investigations
Fortress Forensics Investigations provides justice for at-risk victims of financial exploitation through experienced evidence analysis and forensic accounting investigations.
Website
Phone: 262-278-0325


Brown County Library
Brown County Library has several locations, and is your one-stop-shop for online classes, family activities, research, and more!
Website


Kroc Community Center
The Kroc Community Center is a 102,000 square foot family support, education, recreation and cultural arts center. The facility is open to members and the general public and serves residents of Greater Green Bay with a variety of health & wellness, spirituality and arts programs for individuals of all ages.
Website


Legal Action
Legal Action of Wisconsin’s mission is to deliver exceptional civil legal services and structural change advocacy, free of cost, to those most in need. Learn more about the breadth of services offered by visiting their website.
Website: legalaction.org
Phone: (855) 947-2529


Oneida Aging & Disability Services
Oneida Aging & Disability Services provides quality home and community-based programs for disabled and elder clients. Their mission is to assist disabled and elder clients to maintain an independent, healthy, productive, and quality lifestyle through love, caring, and respect by the services they provide.
Website
Phone: (920) 869-2448
Toll Free: (800) 867-1551


Senior Medicare Patrol
The Senior Medicare Patrol helps Wisconsin Medicare beneficiaries and their advocates prevent, detect, and report health care fraud, abuse, and errors.
Website
Helpline: (888) 818-2611
Email: smp-wi@gwaar.org


UW-Green Bay Lifelong Learning Institute
Every spring and fall, UW-GB LLI offers courses for older adults on wide-ranging topics and in a variety of lengths and formats online and in-person.
Website
Phone: 920-465-2356
Email: lli@uwgb.edu

YMCA
At the Greater Green Bay YMCA, you get more than just access to fitness facilities. It's about belonging to a supportive community that values health, friendships, and personal growth.
Website

Overview

• Highlighted cryptocurrency scams, romance scams, and tech/government impostors.
• Emphasized reporting scams even if money is not lost.
• Discussed safe payment methods: gel pens for checks, credit over debit cards, and tap-to-pay.
• Explained identity protection options and the limits of paid services.
• Provided practical tips for avoiding fake fundraisers and online solicitations.
• Stressed the importance of community education and sharing information.

Crypto, Romance, and Tech Scams: Tactics & Victim Impact

• Romance scams use trust-building to convince victims to send money.
• Victims often report strong emotional bonds with scammers, even after losing savings.
• Tech and government imposter scams exploit urgency and fear to pressure quick action.
• Scammers use multiple people and continuous contact to prevent victims from pausing or seeking advice.

Why Reporting Scams Matters & Law Enforcement Response

• Reporting scams enables partial recovery of fees (typically 15–35%) from cryptocurrency kiosk companies.
• Reports to law enforcement and IC3 (FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center) help track scam patterns and link cases.
• Collective reporting has led to shutdowns of scam operations, e.g., Prince Holdings Groups.
• Individual reports, even for small amounts, help trace large-scale fraud and freeze illicit funds.
• Reporting educates the community and aids broader law enforcement investigations.

Safe Payment Methods: Checks, Cards, and Online Security

• Avoid responding to online donation requests; seek out organizations or candidates directly.
• Research charities via BBB (give.org), Charity Navigator, or state registries before donating.
• Unsolicited contacts on social media often indicate scams; donate directly to verified sources.
• Gel pens prevent check washing; use for writing checks.
• Credit cards offer more protection than debit cards for online purchases.

Identity Protection Services: Worthwhile or Not?

• Identity protection services require sharing personal data with companies.
• Free options exist: credit freezes, credit alerts, self-monitoring.
• Effectiveness depends on personal habits and regular monitoring.
• Evaluate companies by privacy policies, data protection, insurance coverage, and cost.
• Multi-factor authentication now used for credit freezes
• You can monitor SSN, driver's license, bank accounts, credit cards, and mail.

Credit Card Skimming & Tap-to-Pay Security

• Credit card skimmers are often installed on unattended, low-traffic, or poorly lit gas pumps.
• Skimmers can be attached in under 5 seconds, often unnoticed by cameras or attendants.
• Tapping to pay uses encrypted, one-time 16-digit numbers, making it safer than swiping or inserting cards.
• Debit card compromises are harder to resolve than credit card fraud; credit cards offer better consumer protection.
• Merchants can legally charge extra fees for credit card use if disclosed upfront.

Property Title Theft & County Notification Services

• House title theft is rare but possible; cannot be fully prevented in Wisconsin.
• Anyone can file a document with the Register of Deeds for about $30; office cannot refuse filings.
• Notification services (e.g., RNS) exist in some counties to alert owners after a document is filed.
• Brown County has a notification service; check Register of Deeds website for availability in your county.
• Victims must report to law enforcement and typically need a civil attorney to void fraudulent documents in court.

Fake Fundraisers & In-Person Scams: How to Respond

• No universal question identifies fake fundraisers.
• Verify legitimacy by requesting online donation options or written materials; confirm via official websites (e.g., give.org).
• Face-to-face donations increase risk; credit card disputes may not be refunded if authorized in person.
• Be proactive and cautious; do not share personal information with strangers or over the phone/social media.
• Never give money to internet acquaintances; legitimate entities do not request payment via gift card or crypto.

Panelists' Final Advice: Empowerment, Vigilance, and Sharing

• Do not give money to anyone met online; government and businesses do not request payment via gift cards or crypto.
• Criminals manipulate victims; blame lies with the perpetrator, not the victim.
• Exercise caution with strangers on phone or social media; protect personal information.
• Share scam prevention knowledge with family and community to empower and prevent further victimization.
• Save important contact information now for quick access in case of scams or identity theft.