The Most Common Scam Now Targeting Minnesotans

Fishing is that thing you do at the lake. Phishing is when someone texts or emails you, trying to steal your passwords or scam you out of a couple thousand bucks.

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Guess which one’s been trying hard to reel in Minnesotans lately? Okay, maybe both of them are reeling us in and costing us money, but only one of them wants to STEAL your credit card number.

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A new survey from Fullstack Academy looked at how people across the country are dealing with phishing scams, and Minnesotans have some brushing up to do. 69 percent of us said we’re not very confident we can spot a phishing attempt. That’s the third highest in the entire country.

And it’s not just random spam. One in five Minnesotans say they’ve received phishing messages that feel local, like mentioning a nearby town or business, or referencing something that actually applies to your life. It’s sneaky. It’s specific. And sometimes, it works.

So, what's the most common scam in Minnesota right now?

The Most Common Phishing Scam in Minnesota

The survey asked people all across the country a few different questions. "We asked a variety of questions from how often, what type of phishing lures they most frequently receive, what companies are impersonated the most in these phishing lures, if they've fallen victim to a phishing lure, and more," Fullstack Academy said.

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Here are the seven most common phishing scams across the country right now:

1. Unusual activity detected on an account
2. Account is compromised/needs verification
3. Package delay/shipping issue
4. Invoice or payment request
5. Generic “Hi there” or vague greeting over text
6. Banking or credit card fraud alert
7. Claim your prize

According to the survey, the top phishing lure in Minnesota is the fake shipping notice. You’ve seen it: a text or email that says something like, “We couldn’t deliver your package,” or “Your shipment is delayed, click here to reschedule.” The text version of this is now called a 'smishing' scam because it uses text messages (SMS) instead of email.

And the scammer’s favorite company to impersonate in Minnesota is UPS.

That one got me recently. I was waiting on a pair of Crocs for my wife, and a text popped up that seemed legit. These days, with how often we all get packages, the timing can feel perfect, and it did for me. I clicked the link before my brain kicked in and said, 'Wait a minute.' Thankfully, I didn’t enter any info, but it was way too close for comfort.

Below is a look at the most common phishing scams in each state, according to Fullstack Academy. Keep scrolling to see a list of more common scams to watch out for in Minnesota.

How to Spot a Phishing Scam Before It’s Too Late

If you’re not sure how to tell what’s real and what’s fake, you’re not alone, but there are a few simple red flags to look out for:

Unexpected messages about packages -- If you weren’t expecting a delivery or order update, be skeptical. Even if you are waiting on something, go directly to the company’s website or app to check.

Urgent language or threats -- Phishing messages often try to make you panic, with phrases like “act now,” “final notice,” or “your account will be locked.” Don’t take the bait.

Suspicious links or email addresses -- Check the sender's info closely. A real company won’t email you from “delivery-update-info83745@gmail.com.”

Personal info requests -- No legit delivery company will ever ask for your Social Security number or credit card to reschedule a package.

Phishing scams aren’t going away anytime soon, but we can all get a little savvier. Talk to your parents, kids, neighbors… whoever. The more we share this info, the less likely someone we care about will get caught in a scam.

And if you do fall for one, don’t beat yourself up. Just change your passwords, report it, and learn from it. It happens, even to people who think they know better.