APS: Telemarketing

To report abuse of an adult at risk
(age 18 to 59), call your county helpline.

To report abuse in a nursing home
or other long term care facility,
contact the Division of Quality Assurance.

To report abuse of an elder adult at risk
(age 60 plus),
call your county helpline or the Elder Abuse Hotline at 833-586-0107.

To report abuse outside of Wisconsin,
contact the National Adult Protective Services Association.

Telemarketing calls might be someone trying to scam you or your loved ones. Keep in mind these DOs and DON’Ts for dealing with telemarketing callers.

DO feel free to ask for a manager or supervisor if you are getting unwanted, repeat calls. You have a right to know the company’s name and address.

DO make sure the caller and the service or product offered are licensed to do business in Wisconsin. Call 800-472-4325 or visit the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions to find out.

DO have the caller send you written material to study before you make a purchase.

DO talk to family members and friends to get advice about a large purchase or investment.

DO have a strategy to get off the phone. If you don't want to be rude, tell the caller that you simply do not do business over the phone.

DON’T pay for any “prize” based on a call you receive.

DON’T give any caller your credit card or social security number if you did not initiate the call.

DON’T give out personal information over the phone. Ask callers to mail you information, then check them out.

DON’T be pressured into making quick decisions. Time is your friend.

DON’T be afraid to hang up.

To prevent most telemarketing calls, get on the state or federal do not call list.

Wisconsin’s Do Not Call Registry or call 866-966-2255
National Do Not Call Registry or call 888-382-1222

These registries prevent most telemarketing calls to the registered number. However, you may still receive calls from:

Political organizations.
Charities.
Telephone surveyors.
Companies with which you have an existing business relationship.

To prevent unwanted junk mail, you can also remove your name from direct-mail lists. At this time, there is not a national “do not mail” registry. However, there is a service that, for a dollar or two, will remove your name from large direct-mail companies. Visit DMA Mail Preference Service to get started.

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