Utility company scams
A caller from your gas or electric company threatens to immediately shut off your service. It’s probably a scam. Here’s how to check:
- Hang up and call the utility company phone number on their website or your utility bill. Don’t call back the person who called you. Those call-back numbers are fake.
- Never pay with gift cards, cryptocurrency or wired money. Your utility company won’t ask you to pay that way.
If you’re behind on your utility bills, ask your utility company for help: Ask for a payment plan and apply for the Energy Assistance Program.
Health Insurance Scams
If you’re shopping for health insurance or Medicare during Open Enrollment season, be on the alert for scams. Here’s more from the FTC about how to spot insurance scams.
Stay clear of scammy ads and health insurance scammers. Here are questions to ask:
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Are they licensed in Minnesota? Health plans and agents are required to be licensed by the Minnesota Department of Commerce: Look up licenses here.
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Can I get that in writing? Ask the health plan to clearly explain insurance costs and coverage. Get this info in a written document: How much will premiums cost? How much do I pay out of pocket before insurance covers costs? What if I end up at an emergency room or need surgery? How much will insurance cover costs for a prescription drug?
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How do I pay premiums? Don’t pay anyone who claims they are from a health plan or Medicare and demands cash, cryptocurrency, or your credit or debit card numbers so you can get or keep health coverage.
Contact trusted sources for health insurance:
Visit MNsure.org during Open Enrollment. Enroll by December 18, 2024, for insurance coverage to start January 1, 2025.
COMMERCE IN THE NEWS
Keeping Minnesota homes warm this winter
Governor Tim Walz announced $112 million in federal funds awarded to the Minnesota Energy Assistance Program, which is administered by the Minnesota Commerce Department. Read our full press release.
News stories about the Energy Assistance Program:
Apply for Energy Assistance online, or help your family, friend or neighbor to apply: mn.gov/home.
International Fraud Awareness and Prevention Week
Certified Fraud Examiners estimate organizations lose about 5% of their revenue annually due to fraud. The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners offers ways that you can get involved to prevent fraud at fraudweek.com.
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CAREERS AT COMMERCE
Explore current job openings and the work we do at Commerce for future career opportunities: Careers at Commerce
 Minnesota is now one of nine states to be part of the Green Workforce Connect platform that helps link job seekers with careers in clean energy. Our state has experienced rapid growth in clean energy jobs. Recent reports show over 60,000 jobs in the clean energy sector, with growth nearly five times faster than the overall economy in the past year.
Get updates and news from the Minnesota Department of Commerce at mn.gov/commerce or @MNCommerce on social media.
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