Holiday scams to watch out for, energy emergency planning tools and more





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"December 18, 2025"

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Table of Contents [ #energy ]

* Protect yourself from impersonation scams this holiday season [ #scam ]
* Community energy resilience planning tools now available [ #energy ]
* Red flags of buying a timeshare [ #red ]
* Commerce in the News [ #news ]





Scam
**Protect Yourself from Impersonation Scams this Holiday Season**

Scammers are increasingly pretending to be banks, payroll departments, or customer support to steal money or personal information. 

They may contact you by phone, text, email, or fake websites and try to trick you into sharing your login details or one-time security codes. These scams often impersonate trusted companies like your bank, Amazon, or USPS—and they’re especially common during the holidays when shopping and deliveries increase.  

*How to Stay Safe: * 


* Use unique, strong passwords and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA). 

* Don’t click links in unexpected emails or texts. Instead, use saved bookmarks or type the website address yourself. 

* Regularly check your bank and online accounts for suspicious activity. 

* If someone claims to be from your bank, hang up and call the official number listed on your card or the company’s website. 

If you think you’ve been scammed, contact your financial institution immediately and report it to the FBI’s IC3 at www.ic3.gov [ [link removed] ]. Vigilance now can prevent a costly headache. 

*Read more* [ [link removed] ]






energy
*Be Prepared: Community Energy Resilience Planning Tools Now Available*

Commerce released a new energy emergency planning workbook and resource page to help cities and community organizations prepare for energy supply disruptions. This resource serves as both a planning tool and a quick-reference guide during emergencies. By compiling key information in advance, local governments and community organizations can reduce the impact of outages and help their communities recover more quickly. Whether you're updating your emergency management plans or building resilience strategies, this guide is designed to support your efforts. 

*Read more* [ [link removed] ]






timeshare
*Red Flags of Buying a Timeshare*

Timeshares can sound like a dream vacation deal — but not all offers are what they seem. High-pressure sales tactics, hidden fees, and misleading promises are common in the timeshare industry. Before you sign anything: 


* Take your time and don’t rush into a decision. 

* Read the fine print, especially cancellation policies and maintenance fees. 

* Research the company, check for complaints or legal actions. 

* Consult a trusted advisor. 

If it feels too good to be true, it probably is. Learn more about how to protect yourself from common scams. 

*Read more* [ [link removed] ]






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*Commerce In the News*

roundtable
*Rising Energy Costs are Creating Financial Strain for Farms and Rural Communities*

Last week, Commerce and Falk’s Seed Farms hosted a roundtable on how federal policies are driving up energy prices, resulting in a financial squeeze for farmers, rural households, and local economies across Minnesota.

Farmers and rural communities have been hit hard this year as fertilizer, fuel, grain drying, and electricity costs have climbed, while crop prices have declined. 

We’re grateful to the farmers and local leaders who shared their experiences and insights.

*Watch the roundtable recording* [ [link removed] ]


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Get updates and news from the Minnesota Department of Commerce at mn.gov/commerce [ [link removed] ] or @MNCommerce on social media.

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*Minnesota Department of Commerce*
85 7th Place East, Suite 280
St. Paul, MN 55101

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