Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Minnesota AG warns scams are evolving: social media, gift cards and crypto hamper recoveries
Summary
Attorney General Keith Ellison and Deputy Jessica Whitney told lawmakers that scams are increasingly sophisticated, often originate overseas, and that recoveries depend on traceability and consumer reporting; they suggested policy options including a dedicated restitution fund.
Attorney General Keith Ellison and Deputy Attorney General Jessica Whitney briefed the House Commerce and Finance Policy Committee on March 11 about changes in scam activity, how fraud methods are shifting, and the practical limits of consumer recovery.
Ellison said national consumer data show large aggregate losses: “In 2023, consumers reported losing nearly $10,000,000,000 to fraud,” he said, citing Federal Trade Commission figures. He added that “consumer losses facilitated by social media, totaled 1,400,000,000 in 2023,” and that imposter scams remain common. Whitney described a long‑running pattern of younger cohorts being targeted via online channels and noted new pressures from…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
