| Adult Protective Services |
REPORT ELDER ABUSE AND NEGLECT:
Email: adrc@marinettecountywi.gov or www.ReportElderAbuseWI.org
 Elder Adults-at-Risk (formerly Elder Abuse/Neglect):
Reports of physical, financial abuse or neglect of individuals
age 60 or older are investigated. Services may be provided to
help eliminate the abuse or neglect and to keep the individual
at home whenever possible.
Vulnerable Adults-at-Risk:
Reports of physical, emotional or financial abuse or neglect of
individuals under the age of 60 are investigated. Services may
provided to help eliminate the abuse or neglect and to keep the
individual at home whenever possible.
Other Adult Protective Programs and Services include:- Community Education
- Facilitation of Guardianships and Protective Placement
- Assistance with POA Healthcare (unable to assist with POA Financial)
WORLD ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY! The ADRC of Marinette County recognizes World Elder Abuse Awareness Day annually on June 15th by displaying pinwheels to represent the number of Marinette County Elder Abuse and Neglect referrals received in the previous year. Pinwheels are displayed in front of the ADRC/Health & Human Services building at the corner of Hall Avenue and Raymond Street.
If you would like more information about the signs of elder abuse or to report elder abuse, please contact Adult Protective Services by calling the ADRC at 715-732-3850 or 888-442-3267 or Email adrc@marinettecountywi.gov. All information is confidential.
THE ROLE OF GROOMING IN ONLINE SCAMS - THINK BEFORE YOU CLICK!
Let's talk about something that's often misunderstood...grooming. Most people hear the word and think of situations involving children or predators in very specific settings. However, grooming happens in other ways too. One place it's showing up more and more - Online scams.
Yes, scammers groom people; not just in obvious ways, either. They do it by building trust, learning our routines, and feeding you carefully curated stories. Over time, it becomes harder and harder to see what's really happening. Let's walk through it.
What Grooming Actually Is, and Isn't
First, let's get something straight. Grooming isn't about someone being naive or foolish. It's typically a slow process. One that exploits natural human needs like connection, love, trust, and safety. At its core, grooming is about control. A scammer doesn't just show up one day and demand money. Instead, they spend weeks or even months getting you to feel emotionally attached, while subtly lowering your guard.
It's not about intelligence. Scammers groom people of every age, background, and education level. Why? Because they know how to tap into emotion.
They Just Seemed So Real
If you've been targeted by a scam, or know someone who was, you might've heard or said things like:- "They were so nice."
- "They really listened."
- "They remembered the little things."
- "They made me feel special."
None of that is accidental. These scammers aren't rushing the process. They're playing the long game. They'll send good morning texts, ask about your day, and share fake stories about their own lives to make you feel like you're not alone. They often use tactics like mirroring, reflecting your emotions to make you Feel more connected to them. They celebrate your wins and comfort you when you're struggling.
Over time, something shifts. Feelings begin to change, and suddenly, you feel like you need them. That's grooming.
The "Small" Tests that Lead to Big Consequences
One way scammers groom people is by testing boundaries little by ltitle. It may start with a minor favor, like accepting a package, clicking a link, or helping with a "temporary issue". Then, as the relationship deepens, they escalate the requests.
This is strategic. They aim to see what you'll do for them. Once you've done one "small" thing, it becomes psychologically easier to justify the next one. It's a form of manipulation known as foot-in-the-door, and it works. You may not even notice it happening.
It Didn't Feel Like a Scam
Here's the really hard part. It often doesn't feel like a scam, until it's too late. Scammers build something that feels authentic. They use affectionate nicknames, remember your pet's name, send you music playlists or photos often stolen from someone else. Also, they talk about your future together, where you'll live, what you'll do, how happy you'll be.
What if I told you that all of this was part of the grooming process, making you feel emotionally invested so that when the requests for money start flooding in, you're more likely to comply. It would feel easy to help them because you care about them. This is why it's so painful, and confusing, when you find out it wasn't real.
If You're Reading This, and Thinking "Oh No."
If any of this his hitting close to home, hear this: you are not alone, and not to blame. Scammers rely on people not knowing how grooming works. They use love bombing and the desire to trust as weapons. Scammers do it with practice, often working with scripts, stolen identities, and psychological tactics.
The fact that you cared enough to trust someone says more about you and the human desire for connection than your ability to be scammed. You are not at fault, the scammers is.
What to Know About Grooming
So why talk about this publicly? Because when people don't understand grooming, they tend to blame the wrong people. People may say things like:- "Why didn't they see the signs?"
- "They should've known better."
- "I would never fall for that."
Here's the truth: when someone is groomed, they're not operating from a place of suspicion. They're operating from connection, hope, and trust. If we want to fight scams, especially romance scams, we have to talk about grooming as part of the process, not a rare inception.
What Grooming Looks Like in Online Scams
Here's the truth: when someone is groomed, they're not operating from a place of suspicion. They're operating from connection, hope, and trust. If we want to fight scams, especially romance scams, we have to talk about grooming as part of the process, not a rare exception.
What Grooming Looks Like in Online Scams
Here are some common signs of grooming in scams:- Love bombing: Oerwhelming affection early on.
- Quick attachment: Talking about being soulmates with days or weeks.
- Isolation: Discouraging you from talking to friends or family about them because, "They won't understand."
- Crisis setups: Sudden emergencies that require your help, usually money.
- Emotional dependency: Making you feel like they're the only one who "truly understands you."
- Guilt or manipulation: "If you love me, you'll do this." "I thought you trusted me."
None of these mean you did something wrong. Instead, they mean the scammer did exactly what they planned.
Healing After Grooming
Recovery after a scam that involves grooming can be especially difficult, as it isn't just about the money, it's about losing someone you thought cared about you. This is why healing takes time.- It's okay to feel angry one day and heartbroken the next.
- It's okay if you miss them, even after learning the truth.
- It's okay if you're struggling to trust again.
What matters most, is knowing that healing is possible and that you are not alone in this.
Together, We Can Change the Narrative
If we want to truly support scam victims and prevent more scams, it's important to be willing to see the whole picture. This includes grooming. It's not a weakness to be groomed. Victims of grooming aren't foolish. It's the result of targeted, intentional manipulation.
The next time you hear about someone, "falling for a scam," try replacing your judgment with empathy and compassion. Ask about what they need at the moment. This can be the key to understanding and stopping this kind of crime. It will surprise you how many people are affected by this type of behavior from scammers. Leading with compassion can be something a victim may need to begin their healing journey.
DATCP CONSUMER ALERT:
Wisconsin Consumers Report "Apple Tech Support" Scam
A number of Wisconsin Residents are reporting telephone calls that falsely claim to be from Apple Inc. The robocalls claim there is a problem with the recipients' iCloud or Apple ID accounts.
These are tech support scam calls. If you receive a similar telephone call, hang up immediately and do not press any keys to "speak to a representative" or to "end the call."
In many instances, consumers have reported that the caller ID information has been spoofed to make it appear as if the call is coming from the Apple Store at the Mayfair Mall in Wauwatosa. In at least one other instance, the number provided was that of an Apple Store in Los Angeles.
To read more about imposter scams review DATCP's imposter scams fact sheet.
For additonal information on consumer protection issues, visit the Consumer Protection Bureau at http://datcp.wisconsin;gov, send an e-mail to datcphotline@wisconsin.gov or call the Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-422-7128.
The Grandparent Scam - Scammers call an older person and say something such as, "Hi Grandma, do you know who this is?" Responding with a name will allow the scammer to be able to establish a false identity, and then ask for money to solve some unexpected problem. They may say "I'm stranded on spring break" or "I've been arrested" or "hospitalized" and need money for medical purposes, to get out of jail or back home. They'll generally ask for payments be paid via Western Union, MoneyGram, Money Pak cards, or other untraceable methods. They'll also usually state that his or her voice sounds different due to the accident or crisis, and ask that the grandparent not tell their parents.
Door-to-Door Sales Scams - People go door-to-door and offer extraordinarily low prices for home improvement work, often stating the offer is only good at the moment. Some of the door-to-door sales the BBB receives complaints about each year include asphalt paving, roofing, tree stump removal, storm damage, and sales of products including vacuum cleaners and magazine subscriptions. Door-to-door salespeople are often transient, and if you're unsatisfied with the work or don't receive the magazines you paid for in advance, there may be no way of finding them to get your money back. Check all companies before doing business with the BBB, first. Take time to think about the offer; compare prices, shop locally, and ensure you know where the company is located should you have a problem later.
Health Care Fraud Scams - Scammers will call or e-mail misrepresenting they are Medicare or insurance representatives, stating they will be sending a new card or announcing a new plan and stating personal information is necessary. Sometimes, they'll falsely state that an initial payment needs to be made for the new card or plan. Scammers are simply attempting to get personal or financial information and scam you out of money.
Funeral & Cemetery Scams - Scammers read obituaries and call a grieving widow or widower claiming the deceased had an outstanding bill with them and then try to extort money from relatives to settle the fake debt. In another tactic, disreputable funeral homes will attempt to capitalize on family member's unfamiliarity with the cost of funeral services to add unnecessary charges to the bill or attempt to sell high-end products or services.
Investment Schemes - During the senior years, it's typical to plan for retirement and make financial plans. Scammers target seniors at this time because they know they're retired and making plans to safeguard finances for their later years. Be wary of pyramid schemes (like Bernie Madoff's), investment schemes promising quick and plentiful returns, advance-fee schemes, and foreign letter fraud schemes. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Counterfeit Check Scams - While there are many variations of the fake check scam, scammers will often send a legitimate-looking check and ask you to deposit it into your bank account and wire a portion back to them. They may say that you've won money but need to pay a portion in taxes, or they offer you a "mystery shopping" job and say they're paying you in advance, but a particular dollar amount needs to be returned and "you keep the rest." In reality, the money you wired cannot be returned to you. If you deposit the check and withdraw any portion of it, you'll be responsible for paying back your bank the entire amount plus any overdraft fees.
It's extremely important to report the fraud you fell victim to, or even the pitch you received but didn't fall for. Older Americans are least likely to report a fraud because they may be too embarrassed or feel ashamed if family members or friends find out. Reporting the situation to the proper authorities and agencies can prevent others from losing money, can help start an investigation into the scam, and will prompt agencies to properly alert others and work toward getting the scheme shut down.
Better Business Bureaus share information and offer FREE reports on thousands of companies and charities nationwide and throughout Canada. BBB's work together and with law enforcement to share information and investigate. You can file a complaint, post a personal customer review, report a questionable advertisement, obtain free reports, tips and information, report scams, and sign up to receive free scam alerts and press releases. Go to the website at www.bbb.org/Wisconsin, or call the public line at 414-847-6000 or toll-free in Wisconsin at 1-800-573-1002.
Scammers are using caller ID spoofing technology to impersonate the phone numbers of local businesses, neighbors and even you! Watch out for this wacky twist on the classic phishing phone scam.
How the scam works:
Your phone rings, and you look at the caller ID. You recognize the number. It may be from a local business or a neighbor down the street. But in strange twist, you might even see your own name and phone number on the caller ID screen.
You answer the phone, and it's a robo call. Victims have reported several different phishing scams. In one common version, a recording prompts you to verify your credit card number under the guise of lowering your interest rates.
With many people rejecting calls from unfamiliar numbers, scammers are increasingly posing as familiar businesses, government organizations or people. Scammers purchase lists of phone numbers and use spoofing technology to trick potential victims into picking up the phone. Posing as your own phone number is great for shock value and for ensuring the number isn't blocked.
BBB WARNS OF SCAMS THAT TARGET SENIORS
The Better Business Bureau serving Wisconsin is warning seniors and adult children of senior parents to be on the lookout for, and report scams that may target them. The prevalence of scams targeting elders makes extra vigilance crucial. The following are some of the common scams designed to trick consumers, especially the elderly, into giving up their money, property or personal information.
Contractor Scam - Beware of scammers going door-to-door and offering seasonal services, such as leaf raking, chimney sweeping or window installation. These con artists may just take your money without ever delivering the service.
How the Scam Works: You answer the door, and it's a "handyman." He says that he's been hired by the neighbors to clean the chimney, install storm windows, rake the leaves or performs another seasonal service. He claims that he can give you a discount price because he is already working in the neighborhood.
You need the work done, so you take him up on the offer. He asks for a partial payment upfront, and he will return the next day after he finishes the neighbor's job. However, he takes the money and is never seen again.
In another version of the scam, the contractor will arrive and perform the service. But in doing so, he finds a "major problem" that needs to be fixed immediately. And of course, he's perfectly suited to perform the expensive repair.
How to Protect Yourself from Contractor Scams: Contractor scams appear when homeowners have the most work to do: after major storms and during the change of seasons. Follow these tips when hiring someone to work on your home.
Work with local businesses: Make sure the contractor has appropriate identification that tells you it's a legitimate company versus a fly-by-night operator. Things like permanent lettering on trucks, uniforms, printed invoice and estimate sheets, business cards, physical addresses, land line phones, etc. are all signs of an established business.
Check references: Get references from several past customers. Get both older references (at least a year old) so you can check on the quality of the work and newer references so you can make sure current employees are up to the task.
Check BBB.org: BBB Business Reviews are more than just a grade. You can also read past complaints from customers, find out about licensing and government actions, and more.
Make sure it's legal: Confirm that any business being considered for hire is licensed and registered to do work in your area. Also, if in doubt, request proof of a current insurance certificate from a contractor's insurance company.
Get it in writing: And always be sure to get a written contract with the price, materials and timeline. The more detail, the better.
Watch for "red flags": Say no to cash-only deals, high-pressure sales tactics, and on-site inspections. Don't allow someone in your home or on your roof until you have a chance to thoroughly check them out.
What to do if a scammer calls:- Hang up, don't press any buttons and, if you received a voice mail message, don't call the scammer back. We all like to have the last word, but returning the phone call may just give the con artist information he can use.
- Don't trust Caller ID. Scammers have technology that lets them display any number or organization name on your screen.
- Never give any financial information. If you did not initiate the call, do not provide bank account, credit card or Social Security numbers over the phone unless you have thoroughly done your research and verified the caller.
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