Wisconsin § 403.406 - Negligence contributing to forged signature or alteration of instrument.
Full text of Wisconsin Wisconsin Statutes § 403.406 — Negligence contributing to forged signature or alteration of instrument., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 403.406. Negligence contributing to forged signature or alteration of instrument.
403.406(1) (1) A person whose failure to exercise ordinary care substantially contributes to an alteration of an instrument or to the making of a forged signature on an instrument is precluded from asserting the alteration or the forgery against a person who, in good faith, pays the instrument or takes it for value or for collection. 403.406(2) (2) Under sub. (1) , if the person asserting the preclusion fails to exercise ordinary care in paying or taking the instrument and that failure substantially contributes to loss, the loss is allocated between the person precluded and the person asserting the preclusion according to the extent to which the failure of each to exercise ordinary care contributed to the loss. 403.406(3) (3) Under sub. (1) , the burden of proving failure to exercise ordinary care is on the person asserting the preclusion. Under sub. (2) , the burden of proving failure to exercise ordinary care is on the person precluded. 403.406 History History: 1995 a. 449 . 403.406 Annotation Although a claim for misrepresentation may “supplement” the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code, it may not supplant them. A bank customer’s failure to comply with this section and s. 404.406 precluded the customer’s claim for strict-liability misrepresentation. Weber, Leicht, Gohr & Associates v. Liberty Bank, 2000 WI App 249 , 239 Wis. 2d 461 , 620 N.W.2d 472 , 99-1557 .
Source: official Wisconsin text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Wisconsin § 403.406
What does Wisconsin Statutes § 403.406 cover?
Section 403.406 ("Negligence contributing to forged signature or alteration of instrument.") is part of the Wisconsin Statutes, the codified statutory law of Wisconsin. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Wisconsin § 403.406?
A common citation format is "Wisconsin Statutes § 403.406" (Wisconsin). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Wisconsin law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Wisconsin official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Wisconsin attorney.
How does Wisconsin § 403.406 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Wisconsin can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Wisconsin.