Consumer Protection Presentations

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The Department of Agricult​ure, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is Wisconsin's primary consumer protection agency. Its Bureau of Consumer Protection offers ​free presentations and educational materials to the public through webinars, workshops, toolkits, conferences, and stand-alone events to groups including businesses​, law enforcement agencies, seniors, students, military members, and general consumers​.​​
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DATCP is committed to protecting ​Wisconsin c​onsumers and businesses. Because the first line of defense against fraud is knowl​edge, the Bureau of Consumer Protection pro​vides information on Wisconsin’s consumer laws and how to identify, stop and avoid fraud​. Learn more about upcoming consumer protection presentations below, and schedule a presentation for your community or business organization today.

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July Presentation Sched​​​​ule

​Date and Time
 ​Location
 ​​Topic
July 1 at 12:30 p.m.
Elkhorn, WI: Matheson Memorial Library
​Common Scams
July 7 at 2 p.m.
​Cudahy, WI: Kelly Senior Center
 ​Common Scams
July 7 at 6 p.m.
Lake Geneva, WI Public Library
​Common Scams
July 14 at 1:30 p.m.
 ​Elm Grove, WI Public Library
​​A.I. and Consumer Protection
July 14 at 5:30 p.m.
 ​Milwaukee, WI: Secure Futures
 Safe Online Shopping
July 15 at 10:30 a.m.
​Wisconsin Rapids, WI: Lowell Senior Center
Safe Online Shopping
July 16 at 10:30 a.m.
Janesville, WI Senior Center
 ​Common Scams
July 23 at 6 p.m.
Cedarburg, WI Public Library
​​A.I. and Consumer Protection
​July 29 at 5:30 p.m.
Hammond, WI Public Library
​Common Scams
​July 29 at 6:30 p.m.
 Hammond, WI Public Library
​A.I. and Consumer Protection

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T​o ​schedule a Bureau of Consumer Protection presentation, or to request educational material for a community event, fill out the online Consumer Protection Outreach Request Form or contact DATCP's Consumer Protection Hotline.​ Provide details ​about your event such as date, time, and location; the number of expected audience members; and what topic(s) you would like us to talk about​. The Bureau of Consumer Protection will respond to your request within one ​​week. 

Want to learn about giving your own consumer protection pres​entation? Access DATCP's Consumer Protection Presentation Facilitator Toolkits.

The Bureau of Consumer Protection offers presentations on the following topics which can be expanded for more information​. These descriptions can also be viewed in PDF format​.​​​​​​

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T​o ​schedule a Bureau of Consumer Protection presentation, or to request educational material for a community event, fill out the online Consumer Protection Outreach Request Form or contact DATCP's Consumer Protection Hotline.​ Provide details ​about your event such as date, time, and location; the number of expected audience members; and what topic(s) you would like us to talk about​. The Bureau of Consumer Protection will respond to your request within one ​​week. 

Want to learn about giving your own consumer protection pres​entation? Access DATCP's Consumer Protection Presentation Facilitator Toolkits.

The Bureau of Consumer Protection offers presentations on the following topics which can be expanded for more information​. These descriptions can also be viewed in PDF format​.​​​​​​
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The Wisconsin Bureau of Consumer Protection will discuss the details of common scams, the warning signs of a scam, and what to do if you or someone you know falls victim to a scam or fraud. Helpful factsheets from The Bureau of Consumer Protection will be available. As Wisconsin’s lead agency for consumer protection, the Bureau of Consumer Protection at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection, provides information and education, mediates complaints, investigates cases, and takes enforcement actions to fight fraudulent and deceptive practices that harm consumers and honest businesses​.

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Every year, millions of older Americans become targets of fraud and financial scams. Adults 60 and older lose billions of dollars annually to criminals who use fear, urgency, trust, and technology to steal money and personal information. Unfortunately, older adults are specifically targeted because scammers believe they are more likely to have savings, own homes, maintain good credit, and answer phone calls from unfamiliar numbers. The good news is that staying informed, alert, and one step ahead of the scammers is the best defense against fraud. And once informed, that knowledge can be shared with friends, family and colleagues to create a safer community for everyone. The Wisconsin Bureau of Consumer Protection will discuss the different types of scams and fraud, how to help prevent them, steps seniors can take to help protect themselves, and what to do if they become a victim of a scam. Helpful resources will be available.​

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Identity theft continues to be the fastest growing crime in the United States. The more you learn about it, the less vulnerable you are. The Wisconsin Bureau of Consumer Protection will explain the different types of identity theft, how to recognize it and how to prevent it – including information about Fraud Alerts and Security Freezes. Receive tips for safeguarding personal information and how to recover from Identity Theft. Helpful brochures will be available.


B​ook a Presentati​o​​​​​n

Online shopping presents an opportunity for consumers to purchase practically anything quickly and conveniently. The internet has many fake ads, fraudulent websites, and scammers trying to take your money and give you nothing in return. Consumers can have a safe online shopping experience, as long as they protect themselves. The presentation will cover online shopping scams, Wi-Fi, internet access, payment methods, and shipping considerations. Helpful resources from the Bureau of Consumer Protection will be available.

The Wisconsin Bureau of Consumer Protection will present information on landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities under Wisconsin law.  Many Wisconsin residents live in rental housing. As a landlord or tenant in Wisconsin, it is important to understand your rights and responsibilities. As part of the presentation, landlord and tenant resources will be available. As Wisconsin’s lead agency for consumer protection, the Bureau of Consumer Protection at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection, provides information and education, mediates complaints, investigates cases, and takes enforcement actions to fight fraudulent and deceptive practices that harm consumers and honest businesses.
B​ook a Presentati​o​​​​​n

​The Wisconsin Bureau of Consumer Protection will present information on Home improvement practices and contracts under Wisconsin law.  Wisconsin residents sign home improvement contracts every day to make improvements to their homes and property. It is important to understand the consumer protection laws that are in place to protect you before you enter into this type of contract. As part of the presentation, you will learn about tips on hiring a contractor, contractor requirements, and required contract provisions.  Home improvement resources will be available to all attendees. As Wisconsin’s lead agency for consumer protection, the Bureau of Consumer Protection at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection, provides information and education, mediates complaints, investigates cases, and takes enforcement actions to fight fraudulent and deceptive practices that harm consumers and honest businesses.
B​ook a Presentati​o​​​​​n

You spend a lot of time building your business. But, if all of your hard work falls into the wrong hands, it can affect your reputation, your bottom line, your customers and your employees. The more you and your employees learn about scams and fraud that target small businesses, the more protected your business will be. The Wisconsin Bureau of Consumer Protection will discuss the different types of scams and fraud, how to help prevent it, steps you can take to help protect your business, and what to do if you become a victim of a scam.​
B​ook a Presentati​o​​​​​n

The Wisconsin Bureau of Consumer Protection will present information on Motor Vehicle Repair contracts under Wisconsin law.  Many Wisconsin Consumers own vehicles that will eventually fail and need to be repaired or replaced. It is important to understand the consumer protection laws that are in place to protect you before entering into this type of contract. As part of the presentation, you will learn tips on selecting a repair shop, ordering parts to fix on your own, and even purchasing a replacement vehicle. As Wisconsin’s lead agency for consumer protection, the Bureau of Consumer Protection at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection, provides information and education, mediates complaints, investigates cases, and takes enforcement actions to fight fraudulent and deceptive practices that harm consumers and honest businesses.​
B​ook a Presentati​o​​​​​n

There were over 3,150 reported data breaches in 2024 affecting 1.35 billion individuals. Understanding the common causes of business identity theft and data breaches is the first line of defense in protecting your company and valued customers. The Wisconsin Bureau of Consumer Protection offers a presentation on data security and data breach awareness to help you with identifying data security risks within your business. They will review recent data breaches, common causes and why small to medium size businesses are targeted. They will also share ways to identify risks within your company and how to minimize them. Finally, they will share best practices for establishing data privacy and security policies for your business.

Business identity theft is a growing crime in the United States. According to the Identity Theft Resource Center over 80% of small businesses have been the victim of a cyberattack, data breach or both in 2024. The more you learn about it, the less vulnerable you and your business are. The Wisconsin Bureau of Consumer Protection will explain the different types of business identity theft, how to recognize it, and steps to take to protect your business.
B​ook a Presentati​o​​​​​n

​Identity theft continues to be the fastest growing crime in the United States. Our members of the military can be particularly vulnerable to this crime while serving overseas. The Wisconsin Bureau of Consumer Protection will explain the different types of identity theft, how to recognize it and how to prevent it – including information about Military Fraud Alerts and Security Freezes. Receive tips for safeguarding personal information and how to recover from Identity Theft. Helpful brochures will be available.
B​ook a Presentati​o​​​​​n

The Wisconsin Bureau of Consumer Protection will present information on identity theft, landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities, and motor vehicle contracts. This presentation is specifically designed for young adults who may be, for the first time in their lives, getting a credit card, renting an apartment, or dealing with a vehicle repair. As a consumer in Wisconsin, it is important to understand your rights and responsibilities under Wisconsin law. As Wisconsin’s lead agency for consumer protection, the Bureau of Consumer Protection within the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection provides information and education, mediates complaints, investigates cases, and takes enforcement actions to fight fraudulent and deceptive practices that harm consumers.

The Wisconsin Bureau of Consumer Protection will discuss safe practices for children while accessing the internet. Children often have access to the internet at home, school, or even a friend’s house and they access the internet on a variety of different devices. Parents should be aware of their children’s online activities to help keep them safe. Topics will include online gaming, downloading apps, sharing photos, and clicking on links. Consumer protection will also discuss laws that give parents control over what information a business can collect on a child and how that information can be used.​

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The Wisconsin Bureau of Consumer Protection will offer a brief history and overview of Artificial Intelligence (AI) leading up to today's complex Large Language Models (LLMs). The presentation will explore the pros and cons of AI and how this developing technology impacts consumers. Additionally, the presentation will cover modern threats; specifically, how generative AI has empowered scammers to expand their reach with deepfake videos, convincing phishing scams, and much more. By the end of this presentation, attendees will be better equipped to navigate an AI powered world with caution and curiosity.​

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The Wisconsin Bureau of Consumer Protection will discuss the history of cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, blockchain technology, safekeeping considerations, and the many risks associated with trading and investing in cryptocurrency. Due to the global use and unregulated nature of cryptocurrency, there are numerous unique scams consumers need to be aware of and red flags to be cautious of. By the end of the presentation, attendees will have a better understanding of this alternative currency, its use in today’s scams and fraud, and how they can protect their money.

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The holidays are an occasion for celebration and giving, but during this time of year scammers are also hard at work trying to trick consumers. They spend the season scheming to steal consumers’ money and personal information through the internet, phone calls, and text messages. Consumers can protect themselves and their loved ones by knowing how to identify, avoid, and respond to common holiday scams, issues, and other consumer considerations. The Wisconsin Bureau of Consumer Protection will present on a range of festive and important topics including how to shop online safely, how to avoid holiday scams and charity fraud, and much more.
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