Commerce Department warns of energy assistance scammers

The Minnesota Department of Commerce is warning residents about scammers.

According to the department, scammers are trying to trick Minnesota consumers with fraudulent calls about the Minnesota Energy Assistance Program.

The Commerce Department reminded Minnesotans that no banking or credit card information is needed to apply for the Energy Assistance Program.

To avoid scammers, Minnesotans can directly contact the Energy Assistance Program at 800-657-3710 or online here.

The Commerce Department says it has paid $104 million to nearly 87,000 Minnesota households since October as part of the program.

These three tips were provided by the Commerce Department as a way to identify scam calls:

• No bank account or credit card information is required to apply for the Energy Assistance Program.
• Scammers may claim to offer a refund for a utility bill overpayment and then ask for credit card information.
• Scammers may also spoof a caller ID to display the number of a utility company or an Energy Assistance service provider.