According to the Federal Trade Commission, Wisconsin consumers and businesses have lost more than $107 million to fraud this year.
Of that total, $32.8 million in fraud losses happened in the third quarter of 2025.
The Wisconsin Bankers Association is warning consumers and businesses about the increase in imposter scams.
Lately, many scams involve scammers posing as government organizations, a bank or even a family member to pressure victims into sending money or sharing personal details.
“These scams are purposefully urgent and frightening,” Rose Oswald Poels, WBA president and CEO, said in a statement. “Scammers count on panic and confusion to get people to act quickly. Once the money is gone, it is often impossible to recover.”
Most institutions will not ask for such valuable information with such urgency over the phone or email. If unsure of who is on the line or other side of the email, hang up, delete it and call your financial institution via a valid phone number to check with them.
Scammers will impersonate authority figures, use fear tactics, pressure victims and request unusual payment methods.
WBA says to “Stop if you feel rushed; urgency is one of the strongest indicators of a scam.”
Consumers are encouraged to report suspected fraud to their bank and the Federal Trade Commission.
