St. Louis County, MN – Residents across St. Louis County are being urged to stay alert as scams involving fake law enforcement and government officials continue to rise this week, according to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, one of the most common scams reported involves callers pretending to be law enforcement officers or government officials. Victims are often threatened with arrest, jail time, warrants, or criminal charges unless an immediate payment is made.
Authorities say these scams rely on high-pressure tactics and fear. Scammers frequently demand payment through untraceable or unconventional methods such as gift cards, wire transfers, third-party payment apps like Cash App or Zelle, or cryptocurrency including Bitcoin.
The Sheriff’s Office emphasized that law enforcement will never demand payment over the phone and will never request money using gift cards, wire transfers, payment apps, or cryptocurrency. Any demand made in this way is always a scam.
Officials also warn of fraudulent emails claiming to be from government departments, including planning and zoning offices. While the messages may look official, they often push recipients to make immediate payments using the same unorthodox methods.
Residents who receive unsolicited calls, texts, or emails demanding payment are advised not to provide any personal or account information and not to send money under any circumstances. Authorities recommend stopping all communication immediately.
If you believe you may be a victim of one of these scams, the Sheriff’s Office urges residents to report the incident right away by calling 911. Those concerned their personal information may have been compromised can visit IdentityTheft.gov for guidance on next steps, including protecting financial accounts and credit.
More information about common scams and fraud schemes can also be found through the FBI’s consumer fraud resources.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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