Officials Warn Scammers Posing As County Officials In New Northern Minnesota Scam

Officials with St. Louis County in Northern Minnesota are warning the public of a new scam that has been reported several times recently in the Northland.

While there are times when law enforcement agencies might warn of the potential of a scam that has been seen elsewhere around the region that could happen in a local area, this particular scam has been reported by "numerous" citizens in St. Louis County.

What's the new scam being reported in St. Louis County?

In this particular scam, a person posing as an official from St. Louis County Planning and Zoning reaches out via email. In this official-looking email, the scammer includes an invoice that demands money be wired to one of a number of different locations.

READ MORE: St. Louis County Sheriff's Office Addresses Surge In Scams Across The Region

As calls came in to the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office, they investigated the emailed invoices and determined that they are indeed fraudulent, as many of the people calling suspected they might be.

What are the telltale signs that this is a scam?

The St. Louis County Sheriff's Office says any department of the county will never ask that money be wired anywhere, as is what is being requested in these invoice emails.

In addition, county offices will never ask that anything be paid in the form of gift cards or paid in any other "unorthodox manner".

If you or someone you know is being asked to send money or gift cards anywhere, particularly if there is a sense of pressure or urgency, this should be an immediate red flag.

If ever you are concerned you have a legitimate outstanding bill, fine, or other fee that someone is contacting you about, it is best to reach out directly to the office claiming that you owe money to verify its legitimacy. Do not use the provided contact information from the potential scammer. Independently look up the official means of communication for the office or department. Even better, if it is possible, stop by their office.

How do I protect myself and my loved ones from scams like this?

Officials with St. Louis County are reminding the public that these types of scams are becoming more common and can be difficult to determine if they are real.

The Sheriff's Office says you should never send money, make any other kind of financial payment, or provide financial information to anyone who reaches out to you through an unsolicited email, text message, computer notification, or phone call.

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There have even been recent instances of scammers even showing up on people's doorsteps in Northern Minnesota as part of a scam demanding money from people.

Scammers will often create a sense of urgency to get you to cooperate. Claiming you have some outstanding or overdue financial obligation, a family member in trouble, or other forms of threats or coercion could be used to get you to act.

If you get contacted by a potential scammer, you should immediately cease communication and report the incident to law enforcement, like many people did with this new scam. From there, officials will provide guidance on what to do next.