Common Scams
July 30, 2024
Romance. Grandparents. Sweepstakes. Gift Cards. What do all these things have in common? They are frequently used to scam people out of their hard-earned money.
Below you will find some examples of common or popular scams to be on the look out for so you can protect yourself and your money.
- Government impersonation: government impersonation scammers pretend to call you from a government agency, like the FBI, Social Security Administration or IRS. They say something bad will happen—you’ll go to jail, for example—if you don’t pay.
- Romance/confidence: Often posing as military or a trades person working overseas to avoid meeting face-to-face, these scammers develop fake online personas to gain the trust and affection of their victims before asking for money for emergencies.
- Grandparent: a grandparent scam involves the scammer impersonating a loved one who is in trouble and needs money. These scams have become even more convincing in recent years due to artificial intelligence that can mimic anyone’s voice.
- Lottery/sweepstakes/inheritance: The victim is told they’ve won a prize or inherited a large sum of money, which they can only access if they pay taxes and fees upfront, or if they give up their identity and bank account information for direct deposit.
- Investment: Victims are asked to tap retirement accounts, home equity or credit cards, and put their money into low-risk investments with guaranteed returns. Investment scams often take the form of pyramid schemes, market manipulation or real estate investing. More recently, criminals have been using cryptocurrency for their investment scams, asking victims to purchase crypto, like Bitcoin or Ethereum, and transfer it to their digital wallet.
- Non-delivery: Fake advertisements entice people to order and pay for items online. They either never receive the order or get something completely different from what was advertised.
- Gift cards: Posing as a business or government agency, the scammer will request payment in gift cards, telling their victim to send them the numbers on the back of the cards. The scammer convinces the consumers to go to a nearby store (e.g., Walmart, Target, Walgreens, or CVS) to purchase a gift card. he scammer then directs the consumer to scratch off the security film on the back of the gift card and read out the numbers to the scammer. The scammer can then remotely access and retrieve the gift card’s value or, more commonly, the gift card information will, be sold and resold on a secondary market.
Often predators also target people who are seeking relief from financial stress. Below are a few common scams targeting people already experiencing financial strain.
Protect yourself before you’ve been scammed
Identity Theft Freeze Law
- This law allows anyone to contact the credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) and request a credit freeze…it’s FREE
- The freeze must be placed within 3 days after the request and within 10 days you will be provided a unique PIN
- You can temporarily life or “thaw’ your report for a specify amount of time
- We recommend this be done for anyone under the age of 18 or any senior citizen that has no need to open new credit
https://www.ag.state.mn.us/Consumer/Publications/CreditFreezesFraudAlerts.asp
Our Recent News
At Catholic Charities, we are blessed to witness moments that reveal the true spirit of community. During a recent visit to our St. Cloud Senior Dining program, our team saw one of those moments firsthand. Grandpa Ray and his grandson, Noah, were preparing to deliver meals—a routine that has become a treasured family tradition. Ray often brings all three of his grandsons, turning service into something that strengthens their bond while uplifting others. Our Senior Dining Coordinator, Kim, shared that Ray and his grandkids have become a bright spot for many of the neighbors we serve. For those receiving meals, it’s not just about nutrition. It’s the warmth of a familiar smile, the energy of young people at the door, and the reminder that they are seen and cared for. This simple act of delivering meals shows the power of serving together—building community, connection, and hope one doorstep at a time. We depend on volunteers like Ray—and like you—to bring compassion to our neighbors. If you feel called to serve, explore our volunteer opportunities, including meal delivery and family volunteering. Your kindness could be the moment someone looks forward to each day. Make an impact and volunteer with us!
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Every July, something powerful happens across Minnesota. Communities come together, neighbors support neighbors, and food shelves receive a boost exactly when they need it most. This year, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud is once again proud to join the 17th Annual Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless Summer Challenge—a statewide effort to strengthen food access during the summer months, when demand on food shelves rises. When school lets out for the summer, thousands of Minnesota children lose access to reliable meals. At the same time, donations to food shelves typically drop. This creates a seasonal gap that leaves many families struggling to put food on the table. The Summer Challenge helps bridge that gap. Through this initiative, participating food shelves—including Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf—receive a proportional matching grant based on the funds raised throughout July. That means every gift made this month goes even further, helping us serve more families across Central Minnesota. Last year, Minnesota food shelves reported more than 9 million visits, the highest number ever recorded. Rising food costs and ongoing economic instability continue to push families toward emergency food support at unprecedented levels. As one of the largest providers of emergency food assistance in Central Minnesota, Catholic Charities sees this need every day. In 2025 alone, 83 food shelves across the state participated in the Summer Challenge, raising $2.4 million to keep shelves stocked. Grants awarded ranged from $150 to $4,000, depending on each organization’s fundraising totals. This year’s theme—Kicking Hunger Together—aligns with the excitement of the World Cup, reminding us that teamwork, unity, and community spirit can make a real difference. Local Impact: How Your Support Helps Here in Central Minnesota, Catholic Charities Food Shelf continues to experience record demand. Participation in the Summer Challenge strengthens our ability to meet this need and ensures families have reliable access to nutritious food all summer long. Every donation helps us: - Keep shelves stocked with healthy, essential foods - Support families facing unexpected hardship - Ensure children have access to meals during summer break - Respond quickly to rising demand in our community Throughout July, your support has double the impact thanks to the Open Your Heart Summer Challenge. Whether you give online, host a food drive, or help spread the word, you’re part of a statewide team working to ensure no Minnesotan goes hungry. Make a gift now at https://wgv.to/catholic-charities-of-the-diocese-of-st-cloud
