Student Loan Forbearance ends December 31, 2022. Find resources here.
What We Do
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is the state’s primary consumer protection agency. The Bureau of Consumer Protection has authority to regulate unfair business practices.
Operate Wisconsin’s Consumer Protection Hotline; consumers can contact our hotline staff by email at DATCPHotline@Wisconsin.gov or through our toll-free hotline at
(800) 422-7128.
Handle 100,000 new consumer complaints and inquiries every year.
Returned more than $11,151,000 million to affected consumers in 2021.
Regulate unfair and deceptive business practices to protect millions of Wisconsin consumers every day.
Provide information, training, and resources for businesses to help them better serve Wisconsin Consumers.
Administer Wisconsin’s telemarketing “Do Not Call” Law (over 4.5 million Wisconsin numbers are registered.)
Educate consumers on best practices to combat and avoid identity theft, and offer recovery services to identity theft victims with the aid of the Identity Theft Assistance Team.
Regulate hazardous consumer products.
Enforce environmental regulations related to consumer products.
Consumer Protection News
September 1, 2022: Consumer Alert: Facebook-Related Phishing Scams
August 29, 2022: Consumer Alert: Student Loan Debt Scams
August 2, 2022: DFI and DATCP Host Student Loan Debt Relief Workshop: How to Avoid Scams, Use Free Repayment Tools and Save Money
August 1, 2022: Consumer Alert: Increase in Wisconsin Lottery-related Scams
July 28, 2022: AG Kaul, Secretary Romanski Secure $15 Million Agreement with Frontier Communications
June 15, 2022: DATCP Recommends Consumers Use Caution When Contracting for Storm Damage Repairs
May 10, 2022: DATCP Sees Rise in Scam Letters Related to Antivirus Subscriptions
April 7, 2022: DFI and DATCP Host Student Loan Debt Relief Workshop: How to Avoid Scams, Use Free Repayment Tools and Save Money
April 4, 2022: AG Kaul, DATCP Announce Enforcement Action Against Extended Vehicle Warranty Telemarketer
April 4, 2022: Consumer Advisory: Cyclospora Found in Ocean Mist Farms Brand Romaine Hearts
March 2, 2022: DATCP and AG Kaul Alert Consumers Impacted by Massive 2021 T-Mobile Data Breach to Protect Their Personal Information
March 1, 2022: Watch for Charity Scams Claiming to Support Those Affected by Russian Invasion on Ukraine
March 1, 2022: DATCP Weighs in on 2021 Inspections During National Weights and Measures Week 2022
February 7, 2022: DATCP Aids Wisconsin Consumers: Top Ten Consumer Complaints in 2021
January, 19, 2022: Palau Joins DATCP as the Division of Trade and Consumer Protection Diversity Outreach Specialist
January 5, 2022: DATCP and DFI Host Student Loan Debt Relief Workshop: How to Avoid Scams, Use Free Repayment Tools and Save Money
December 17, 2021: DATCP Urges Consumers to Use Caution When Contracting for Wind Damage Repairs
December 8, 2021: Gift Cards Make a Great Present – Scammers Love Them Too
December 6, 2021: Consumer Alert Scammers Are Using Mobile Payment Apps
November 29, 2021: Giving Tuesday Tips from DATCP and DFI
November 23, 2021:
Consumer Alert Waukesha Donors Should Watch for Fundraising Scam Attempts
November 19, 2021: Fire Departments across Wisconsin Report Fundraising Imposter Scam Attempts
November, 15, 2021: Student Loan Debt Relief Scammers Target Worried Borrowers
November 3, 2021: Consider Risks if Dabbling in Cryptocurrency
November 2, 2021: Domke and Smith Join DATCP as Directors in the Division of Trade and Consumer Protection
October 27, 2021: DATCP Sees Rise in Antivirus Subscriptions Email Scams
September 30, 2021: Be Cyber Smart during Cybersecurity Awareness Month
September 20, 2021: Client Assistance Program Moves from DATCP to Disability Rights of Wisconsin
September 14, 2021: DATCP and DOJ Reach Settlement with StubHub, Inc.
September 1, 2021: DATCP Sees Rise In Unemployment Insurance Scam Reports
August 5, 2021: Reminder to Use Trusted Contractors for Property Repairs after Storm Damage
July 12, 2021: Consumer Alert DATCP and DOR Warn Consumers to be Alert for Fraudulent Collection Mailings Letters
Contact Us
The Bureau of Consumer Protection is located on the first floor of the Wisconsin Agriculture Building located at 2811 Agriculture Drive on Madison’s southeast side.
Additionally, the Bureau of Consumer Protection's Milwaukee office is located at 1027 W. St. Paul Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53223. Consumers can also contact our hotline staff by email at DATCPHotline@Wisconsin.gov or through our toll-free hotline at (800) 422-7128. Our hotline and business hours are Monday – Friday from 7:45 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome.