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Wisconsin Consumer Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law for Wisconsin on
Q: I received a $250 deposit from golf clubs on Facebook marketplace but the buyer backed out. Am I required to refund it?
David S. Burleson
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answered on Jan 7, 2025

It is never a good idea to put a deposit down on something purchased through Facebook's Marketplace. That being said, if the item being sold is as described and the communications make it clear that the deposit is non-refundable then I'm guessing that Facebook, through its dispute... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Intellectual Property and Trademark for Wisconsin on
Q: internet law, trademark law and intellectual property law. Can you help for me?

I registered a domain. Facebook sent me a letter not to do anything with the domain. This domain now belongs to Facebook

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 27, 2024

If you've registered a domain and received a letter from Facebook claiming the domain now belongs to them, it’s likely because they believe your domain infringes on their trademark rights. Trademark law protects brands and trademarks from use that could cause confusion among consumers about... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Public Benefits for Wisconsin on
Q: I live in Wisconsin and just my kids receive badgercare. Am I exempt from wage garnishment?
T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Jan 18, 2024

In Wisconsin, BadgerCare, which is the state's Medicaid program, provides health care coverage to eligible individuals and families. While BadgerCare itself does not necessarily exempt someone from wage garnishment, the rules regarding wage garnishment generally fall under federal and state... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Collections and Consumer Law for Wisconsin on
Q: Can debt collectors lie to family about contact info in Wisconsin?

I have a recognized debt, and a debt collector harassed me through emails and spoof numbers. Recently, they contacted my brother, falsely stating that I listed him as a second contact. They have not used threatening language, just persistent calls and emails. Is it legal for the debt collector to... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 10, 2025

No, it is not legal for a debt collector to knowingly lie to your family member by claiming you listed them as a contact if that isn’t true. Under the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), debt collectors are restricted in what they can say to third parties. They are only allowed to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Identity Theft and Consumer Law for Wisconsin on
Q: Received suspicious email from "US Customs" asking for money.

I recently received an email from a Gmail account claiming to be from US Customs, threatening possible arrest in connection with a case from January 2025, and it includes a case number. The email requests money, and I suspect it may be fraudulent as legitimate communications should come from a .gov... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 6, 2025

If the temporary order of protection only requires you to stay away from the person’s home and does not mention restrictions on communication, you are likely permitted to contact them by phone or text. It is crucial to read the order carefully to confirm there are no hidden limitations. Without a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Identity Theft, White Collar Crime and Criminal Law for Wisconsin on
Q: Am I being scammed by someone claiming to be in the Army asking for $11,000 to retire?

I've been chatting online with a woman who claims to be in the Army. She was initially at a base in Florida and said she was sent to Iraq last fall for a NATO mission. We have talked several times, and she sent me pictures of herself and her military ID. She mentioned she wants to retire and... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 6, 2025

Yes, you are very likely being scammed. The U.S. Army does not require service members to pay money to retire, nor do they process retirement through third-party “disbursement officers” or wire transfers from civilians. No legitimate soldier would ask for money from someone they’ve only met... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Insurance Defense for Wisconsin on
Q: Can an insurer force aftermarket parts in WI for repairs?

I have a new Chevrolet Tahoe with less than 10,000 miles on it that was hit by someone else, and their insurance company insists on using aftermarket parts for the repair. They specifically mentioned replacing the rear bumper reinforcement with aftermarket parts, citing it as their policy. I am... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 6, 2025

In Wisconsin, insurance companies are permitted to specify the use of aftermarket parts for vehicle repairs, but only under certain conditions. If the insurer chooses to use non-original equipment manufacturer (non-OEM) parts, they are required by state regulation to disclose this clearly in... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation and Consumer Law for Wisconsin on
Q: Obtaining form and class code for faulty auto repair lawsuit in Racine, WI.

I need assistance obtaining the proper form for filing a civil lawsuit in Racine, Wisconsin, concerning faulty auto repair, and identifying the correct class code for my case. What steps should I take to begin this process?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 4, 2025

You’ll begin by obtaining the Summons and Complaint form and the Civil Cover Sheet used in Racine County Circuit Court.

Go to the Wisconsin Court System’s website, navigate to “Circuit Court” then to “Racine County,” and download the uniform “Summons and Complaint” packet... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Identity Theft, Immigration Law, Internet Law, Tax Law and Consumer Law for Wisconsin on
Q: Pressing charges against my wife for leaking sensitive documents via WhatsApp.

I have an issue with my immigrant wife who leaked sensitive documents, including my tax returns, social security information, naturalization papers, passports, medical records, car registration, and bank statements, through WhatsApp without my consent. I am looking to press charges against her for... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 26, 2025

What your wife did—sharing private and sensitive personal documents like tax returns, medical records, and bank statements without consent—may violate both federal and Wisconsin state privacy and computer crimes laws. This includes potential criminal liability for unauthorized access,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Civil Rights for Wisconsin on
Q: Potential privacy violation by hotel manager's husband accessing TikTok via personal info from hotel.

I recently filed a formal complaint against a hotel in Wisconsin after discovering that the hotel manager's husband accessed my personal TikTok account, which can only be searched using my personal phone number. I provided my phone number during check-in and through my hotel membership. This... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 25, 2025

Yes, what you’re describing could be a violation of your privacy rights. If the hotel manager or their husband accessed your personal information—specifically your phone number—and used it to search for and access a private social media account without your consent, that crosses a line. When... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law and Identity Theft for Wisconsin on
Q: Seeking legal help in WI to recover losses from an online scam.

I have been a victim of an online scam involving emails and texts, and I am seeking legal assistance in Wisconsin for recovery actions. I lost money and attempted to dispute a transaction with my credit card company, but it was closed without resolution. I have already contacted my bank's... View More

Matthew McKenna
Matthew McKenna
answered on Jun 17, 2025

I would contact a WI consumer protection attorney. Many of us will offer a free consultation to review the facts. It's tough to get a full picture based on the facts presented (i.e. the full details of the online scam and how the funds were transferred) but I would give a WI consumer... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Identity Theft, White Collar Crime and Criminal Law for Wisconsin on
Q: How to report and investigate a fraudulent job offer after submitting payment?

I received a fake job offer requesting me to be a personal assistant for someone I believe to be engaging in fraud. I have an agreement and documents on file, along with texts and copies of money requests from this individual. Unfortunately, I did submit a payment. How should I report this and... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 14, 2025

First, take a deep breath—what happened to you is more common than you think, and it’s not your fault. Scammers often use convincing job offers to trick honest people into sending money, especially through roles like “personal assistant.” Since you’ve already made a payment, it’s... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Identity Theft and Consumer Law for Wisconsin on
Q: How to verify if a US Customs document requesting fees is fake?

I received a document via email claiming to be from a US Customs representative, requesting additional fees with a specified timeframe. Despite reaching out to US Customs directly, I haven't received a response. I'm concerned the document might be fake and would like to know if and how I... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 14, 2025

It’s good that you’re being cautious—fake customs fee scams are common and can look very official. Real U.S. Customs officials typically do not send fee requests through random email accounts, especially with pressure to pay quickly. If the message includes threats, poor grammar, odd... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Consumer Law and Real Estate Law for Wisconsin on
Q: Can a landlord charge a $50 monthly fee on a verbal month-to-month agreement?

I'm living in a property under a verbal month-to-month arrangement, where I have been staying for five years and six months. Recently, the landlord decided to charge a $50 fee each month, which is not a maintenance fee but another type of fee. No explanation for this fee was provided, and I... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 10, 2025

It’s completely reasonable to question a sudden charge that wasn’t part of your original agreement—especially after living there for over five years. In a verbal month-to-month rental, both the landlord and tenant still have rights and responsibilities, but changes to rent or added fees... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law for Wisconsin on
Q: Can I legally adjust my car's odometer to display the correct mileage?

I have a 2009 Honda Accord with 111k miles, and the gauge cluster needs to be replaced. If I buy an odometer displaying 250k miles, can I legally adjust it to show the actual mileage of the vehicle, which is 111k miles, without violating any laws?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 10, 2025

Yes, you can legally adjust the odometer to reflect the *actual* mileage of the car, as long as your intention is honest and transparent. Federal law in the U.S. doesn’t ban correcting an odometer—it bans tampering with it to mislead or defraud. Since you're replacing a faulty gauge... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents, Consumer Law and Personal Injury for Wisconsin on
Q: Can I sue for damages in a hit-and-run accident?

I am planning to file a lawsuit against a person who was drunk driving and hit my car, then drove away before the police arrived. A police report places the man at fault, and I have photos and videos as evidence. While there were no injuries, the accident caused $1,500 worth of damages to my... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 1, 2025

Yes, you can sue the at-fault driver for damages in a hit-and-run accident, especially since you have a police report, photo and video evidence, and a clear repair estimate. The fact that he was drunk and fled the scene only strengthens your claim, even if no injuries occurred. A \$1,500 property... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Collections and Consumer Law for Wisconsin on
Q: Options for unpaid medical debt in Wisconsin after receiving collection agency notices.

I have a medical debt of $1,445 in collections. The initial charges were from December 2022, and I received notice from a collection agency in April 2025. I requested debt validation and received an itemized bill. I got a second notice in May 2025. I haven't had any other contact with the... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 1, 2025

You're not alone—many people face the stress of medical debt, especially when it lands in collections. Since you've already requested and received debt validation, you’ve taken an important step to protect your rights. Now that you know the debt is legitimate, the next focus is on... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, White Collar Crime, Public Benefits and Criminal Law for Wisconsin on
Q: Investigated for FoodShare fraud in Wisconsin, facing possible jail time?

I am being investigated by IVP for FoodShare fraud in Wisconsin. It's my first time dealing with offsets for FoodShare, and I have received a packet from IVP with a hearing date. They allege that I filled out fraudulent documents and withheld information. Given these circumstances, is it... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 15, 2025

I'm really sorry you're dealing with this—it’s stressful to be under investigation, especially when you’re unsure of the possible outcomes. The Wisconsin Office of Inspector General and the Income Verification Project (IVP) take FoodShare fraud seriously, especially if they believe... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Business Law and Consumer Law for Wisconsin on
Q: Music producer demanding extra payment after agreement.

I purchased two music beats from a producer for $250. After I sent the money, it took them a few days to provide a written contract. I signed it, but they never signed their part. Now, they are asking for an additional $150 to send back the signed contract, which was not part of our initial... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 13, 2025

It sounds like the producer is trying to modify the terms of your agreement after the fact, which is not fair unless both parties agree to the new terms. Since you have a written record of the initial agreement and the producer did not sign their part, it could be argued that the contract is not... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Banking and Consumer Law for Wisconsin on
Q: Received unexpected check from E.W. Cripps, what should I do?

I just received a check from E.W. Cripps, issued by Trust Bank, and I am unsure what it is for. I have not had any previous interactions or transactions with E.W. Cripps and did not expect any payments. Could you provide guidance on what steps I should take to understand the purpose of this check?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 12, 2025

Receiving an unexpected check can be confusing, especially when you don’t recognize the sender. The first step is to carefully review the check for any details that might indicate what it’s for. Look for any information about the purpose of the payment, such as a reference or note on the memo... View More

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