14 Resources
Wisconsin administers Adult Protective Services to help seniors and caregivers with Adult Protective Services reporting, fraud prevention, scam alerts, and abuse intervention. Find office contacts, downloadable forms, and program directories on the site. Free for eligible older adults and their family caregivers in Wisconsin. Relevant for hospital staff, banks, and care workers required by law to report suspected abuse — APS shields good-faith reporters. Anonymous reporting is allowed but limits APS's...
Statewide · Varies · Visit Website
NCEA — federally funded resource on preventing elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. A starting point for any senior, family member, or neighbor who suspects something is wrong but isn't sure what to do. Anonymous reporting is allowed but limits APS's ability to follow up — leaving contact info helps the investigation. Adult guardianship can be appointed by a court when capacity is gone; emergency guardianship is faster but temporary. Free service; donations support but never gate access.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
National Adult Protective Services Association — find your state APS to report elder abuse. Built for reporting suspected elder abuse, neglect, exploitation, or financial scams targeting older adults. Most reports lead to a home visit by an APS caseworker within 24-72 hours; emergency situations are prioritized. AARP's Fraud Watch Helpline and the FTC's IdentityTheft.gov are practical resources before and after a scam. Free, confidential, and available to any Wisconsin resident who needs the information.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
US Department of Justice resources on prosecuting elder abuse and financial fraud. Worth contacting after spotting unexplained bank withdrawals, new "friends," missing belongings, or sudden POA changes. Online and phone reporting are both available; for life-threatening situations, call 911 first. Most elder abuse is financial and most perpetrators are family members — adult children with substance abuse or gambling problems are the most common pattern. Free service; donations support but never gate...
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Free helpline 1-877-908-3360 for fraud help. Scam alerts and prevention. Useful for family members worried about a senior being isolated, controlled, or financially manipulated by a caregiver or relative. Banks now have safe harbors to refuse suspicious transactions on senior accounts; ask about elder financial protection at the branch. Most elder abuse is financial and most perpetrators are family members — adult children with substance abuse or gambling problems are the most common pattern. All...
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Federal Trade Commission scam alerts and consumer protection. Pass It On for older adults. Useful for family members worried about a senior being isolated, controlled, or financially manipulated by a caregiver or relative. Anonymous reporting is allowed but limits APS's ability to follow up — leaving contact info helps the investigation. Most elder abuse is financial and most perpetrators are family members — adult children with substance abuse or gambling problems are the most common pattern. Free of...
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
FBI resources on common scams targeting seniors. Report fraud to ic3.gov. Useful for family members worried about a senior being isolated, controlled, or financially manipulated by a caregiver or relative. Banks now have safe harbors to refuse suspicious transactions on senior accounts; ask about elder financial protection at the branch. Self-neglect (refusing food, hygiene, medical care) is the most common form of "abuse" — APS handles it when capacity is in question. Free, confidential, and...
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Report and search reported scams in your area to protect yourself and others. Useful for family members worried about a senior being isolated, controlled, or financially manipulated by a caregiver or relative. Adult Protective Services intake is confidential; reporters' names are not shared with the suspected abuser. Self-neglect (refusing food, hygiene, medical care) is the most common form of "abuse" — APS handles it when capacity is in question. Free of charge — no eligibility paperwork required to...
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Fraud.org — report telemarketing and internet scams to NCL. Relevant for hospital staff, banks, and care workers required by law to report suspected abuse — APS shields good-faith reporters. Adult Protective Services intake is confidential; reporters' names are not shared with the suspected abuser. AARP's Fraud Watch Helpline and the FTC's IdentityTheft.gov are practical resources before and after a scam. Free, confidential, and available to any Wisconsin resident who needs the information.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Free help for identity theft victims and prevention information. Worth contacting after spotting unexplained bank withdrawals, new "friends," missing belongings, or sudden POA changes. Adult Protective Services intake is confidential; reporters' names are not shared with the suspected abuser. Most elder abuse is financial and most perpetrators are family members — adult children with substance abuse or gambling problems are the most common pattern. Open at no cost to Wisconsin seniors and the families...
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Office for Older Americans — financial protection. Built for reporting suspected elder abuse, neglect, exploitation, or financial scams targeting older adults. Adult Protective Services intake is confidential; reporters' names are not shared with the suspected abuser. AARP's Fraud Watch Helpline and the FTC's IdentityTheft.gov are practical resources before and after a scam. Free service; donations support but never gate access.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Tips and resources on preventing crime against seniors. McGruff the Crime Dog. Useful for family members worried about a senior being isolated, controlled, or financially manipulated by a caregiver or relative. Online and phone reporting are both available; for life-threatening situations, call 911 first. Scams targeting seniors stole over