The Minnesota Department of Commerce is asking the public to consider a new year resolution: to be a scam spotter in 2025 and help to identify and prevent scams that harm Minnesota consumers, organizations and communities.
In a news release on Monday, Jacqueline Olson, the assistant commissioner of enforcement in the Department of Commerce said the department is seeing an increase in scammers who are tricking people into sharing their private financial information and losing money in the process.
The department is urging the public to learn on how to spot scams and protect themselves.
“As you set goals for the new year, especially with plans to improve how you manage money, we want to empower you to arm yourself with tools to prevent losing money to fraud. Make a resolution to have conversations with your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers on how to spot and prevent scams,” Olson said.
Olson shared the following some tips from federal and state consumer protection and enforcement agencies in how to protect yourself:
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Jacqueline Olson, Assistant Commissioner of enforcement in the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Photo: Courtesy of MN Dept. of Commerce Verify first. Scammers are using technology to look and sound like a person or business you know. Do not respond. Instead, contact the person or business directly to verify whether there is a problem. Among the top imposter scams:
- Scammers use caller ID to make it look like they are calling from an official government or business. They will demand you urgently need to share your account info or pay money.
- Scammers pretend to be a grandchild or other relative who needs emergency financial help.
- Charity scammers pretend to be from a real or fake charity to try to get you to contribute.
- Technology scammers tell you your computer’s security is at risk and try to remotely access your device.
- Beware when someone plays on your emotions or claims there’s an urgent situation. Slow down and consider that the call or text could be from a scammer trying to trick you into feeling fear and panic. Advances in artificial intelligence make it easier for scammers to clone phone numbers and voices. They may also alter images to look like a person or organization you know. Contact the person yourself to verify the story. Use contact information you know is theirs. If you can’t reach them, try to get in touch with them through another trusted person, like a family member or their friends.
- Too good to be true? Ask yourself why someone is trying so hard to give you a “great deal.” If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
- Never pay up front for fees, taxes or prizes: It’s a scam if you are told that you must pay fees or taxes to receive a prize or other financial windfall.
- After hearing a sales pitch, take time to compare prices. Ask for information in writing and read it carefully.
- Watch out for deals that are only “good today” and that pressure you to act quickly. Walk away from high-pressure sales tactics that don’t allow you time to read a contract or get legal advice before signing. Also, don’t fall for the sales pitch that says you need to pay immediately, for example by wiring the money, sending it by courier or over a payment app, or by sending cryptocurrency.
- Don’t click on links or scan QR codes. These can take you to scammers’ malicious websites or give them access to your device.
- Put your number on the National Do Not Call Registry. Go to www.donotcall.gov or call (888) 382-1222.
Minnesota consumers and businesses can contact Commerce’s Enforcement Division about concerns or complaints about scams:
- File a complaint online
- Email or call: [email protected]
- Verify whether a person or company is licensed to do business in Minnesota: License Lookup.
- Search Commerce Actions and Regulatory Documents to view past enforcement actions.
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