Minnesota Scam and Fraud Laws: Where to Report, Your Right to Sue (2026)

Minnesota's Prevention of Consumer Fraud Act lets a "consumer" sue over fraud, false promises or misrepresentations made in connection with a sale, but the law defines a consumer narrowly: a natural person or family farmer, harmed in a sale of merchandise for personal, family, household or agricultural purposes. A consumer who wins recovers damages plus costs and reasonable attorney fees. The act does not triple damages. A separate Minnesota law is much stronger for one group of victims: a "vulnerable adult" who is financially exploited can sue for three times their compensatory damages or $10,000, whichever is greater.

Minnesota has also banned crypto ATMs. Since August 1, 2026, no one may install, operate or make available a virtual currency kiosk in the state, and operators must remove kiosks from public locations by December 31, 2026. For complaints, the Minnesota Department of Commerce takes reports about banks, credit unions, money businesses and senior financial fraud. We could not reach the Attorney General's website when we checked, so this page does not describe that office's complaint process.

Information last verified on October 2, 2026. This article has not been reviewed by a licensed lawyer.

Jurisdiction scope: This guide covers Minnesota state law: the Prevention of Consumer Fraud Act (Minn. Stat. sections 325F.68 to 325F.70), the private attorney general statute, Minnesota complaint offices, protections for older and vulnerable adults, the 2026 crypto ATM ban, notary and door-to-door sales rules, and Minnesota court limits and deadlines. Federal refund and reporting rights are summarized briefly and covered in depth on our national guides. Out of scope: criminal defense, and the law of other states (if the scammer or business is elsewhere, that state's law may also matter).

First steps if you were scammed in Minnesota

Contact the bank, card issuer, payment app, wire company or crypto exchange that moved your money right away; that company is usually the one that can stop or reverse a payment. Your federal rights depend on how you paid, and our guide on how to get money back after a scam goes through each payment method. For app transfers, see the Zelle and payment app guide.

Then report it. Most scams go to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and online crime to the FBI's IC3; our where to report a scam guide lists every federal channel. The Minnesota offices below are in addition to those, not instead of them. If your Social Security number or accounts were exposed, see Minnesota identity theft laws.

Where to report a scam in Minnesota

For investment fraud, the Department of Commerce's investments page points its fraud and complaints link to the same complaint portal. We did not find a separate securities-fraud intake to describe.

The Attorney General's office: an honest gap. We could not load the Minnesota Attorney General's website on October 2, 2026, from any of the tools we use, so we have not verified how it takes complaints, which phone numbers it uses, or what it does with a complaint once filed. We are not printing contact details we could not confirm. Use the office's official state website when it is reachable, and do not rely on a phone number from a text, email or caller that claims to be the Attorney General.

Be realistic about what any complaint does. A state agency can investigate a business and help resolve a dispute with a company it regulates, but it is not your lawyer. If you want your money back, the payment company and the lawsuits described below are the routes that can produce it.

Minnesota's consumer protection law: can you sue?

Sometimes. Minnesota's main consumer fraud law is the Prevention of Consumer Fraud Act, Minn. Stat. sections 325F.68 to 325F.70. Its core prohibition, in section 325F.69, subd. 1, reads:

"The act, use, or employment by any person of any fraud, unfair or unconscionable practice, false pretense, false promise, misrepresentation, misleading statement or deceptive practice, with the intent that others rely thereon in connection with the sale of any merchandise, whether or not any person has in fact been misled, deceived, or damaged thereby, is enjoinable as provided in section 325F.70."

Two defined terms make this broad. "Merchandise" means "any objects, wares, goods, commodities, intangibles, real estate, loans, or services," and a "sale" includes "any sale, offer for sale, or attempt to sell any merchandise for any consideration" (section 325F.68, subds. 2 and 4). "Person" includes businesses and "any agent, employee, salesperson" as well as individuals.

Who can sue

The private right to sue is in section 325F.70, subd. 3(a), and it has conditions:

"a consumer injured by a violation of sections 325F.68 to 325F.70, in connection with a sale of merchandise for personal, family, household, or agricultural purposes, may bring a civil action and recover damages, together with costs and disbursements, including costs of investigation and reasonable attorney fees, and receive other equitable relief as determined by the court. An action brought under this section benefits the public."

Subdivision 3(b) defines "consumer" as "a natural person or family farmer." So a business cannot use this subdivision, and the harm must be connected to a sale of merchandise for personal, family, household or agricultural purposes.

That condition matters for scam victims. Someone who paid for a fake product, a phony service, a bogus loan or a sham investment offer may be able to show a sale or an offer to sell. Someone who simply sent money to an impostor, with nothing offered for sale at all, may not fit the act. Whether your situation fits depends on the facts; a Minnesota lawyer can tell you.

What you can recover

The text of section 325F.70, subd. 3 provides damages, costs and disbursements (including costs of investigation), reasonable attorney fees, and other equitable relief the court decides on. It does not provide treble or multiplied damages, a minimum award, or punitive damages, and it contains no pre-suit notice or demand-letter requirement.

The deadline

The consumer fraud sections we reviewed set no deadline of their own. Minnesota's general six-year limitation period covers an action "upon a liability created by statute" (section 541.05, subd. 1(2)), but we have not verified how courts apply that to consumer fraud claims, so confirm your deadline with a lawyer and do not wait.

The private attorney general statute and the public-benefit rule

Minnesota has a second way to sue over consumer fraud. Under section 8.31, subd. 3a, "any person injured by a violation of any of the laws referred to in subdivision 1 may bring a civil action and recover damages, together with costs and disbursements, including costs of investigation and reasonable attorney's fees, and receive other equitable relief as determined by the court." The laws in subdivision 1 include the Prevention of Consumer Fraud Act, the false advertising statute (section 325F.67) and the Unlawful Trade Practices Act.

There is a major limit. In Ly v. Nystrom, 615 N.W.2d 302 (Minn. 2000), the Minnesota Supreme Court held "that the Private AG Statute applies only to those claimants who demonstrate that their cause of action benefits the public." The plaintiff there "was defrauded in a single one-on-one transaction," and the Court said a successful prosecution of that claim "does not advance state interests and enforcement has no public benefit." A typical scam victim suing over their own loss can run into this rule.

Since 2023, the consumer fraud act's own remedy section (325F.70, subd. 3(a)) has said that "An action brought under this section benefits the public." We have not verified how courts have applied that sentence, so do not assume it settles the public-benefit question for your case.

Other consumer laws: injunctions and state penalties

Minnesota's Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act gives private parties an injunction, not damages. Section 325D.45, subd. 1 says a person "likely to be damaged by a deceptive trade practice of another may be granted an injunction." It can stop a business's practice, but it is not a route to getting your money back.

Section 325F.71 adds "an additional civil penalty not to exceed $10,000 for each violation" when consumer fraud, false advertising or deceptive trade practices are perpetrated against senior citizens (62 or older) or disabled persons and certain aggravating factors are present. That is a civil penalty, not damages paid to the victim. Separately, subdivision 4 says "a person injured by a violation of this section may bring a civil action and recover damages," with costs and reasonable attorney's fees.

The honest limit

A lawsuit needs a defendant you can identify, serve and collect from. That often works against a Minnesota business, a contractor or a seller with a real address. It usually does not work against an anonymous scammer who called from a spoofed number or vanished with crypto, and a court judgment does not help if nobody can be found to pay it.

Protections for older and vulnerable adults in Minnesota

A civil lawsuit with enhanced damages

Minnesota's strongest money remedy for scam victims is limited to vulnerable adults. Minn. Stat. section 626.557, subd. 20 says:

"A vulnerable adult who is a victim of financial exploitation as defined in section 626.5572, subdivision 9, has a cause of action against a person who committed the financial exploitation. ... entitled to recover damages equal to three times the amount of compensatory damages or $10,000, whichever is greater."

The victim may also recover "reasonable attorney fees and costs," and may sue "regardless of whether there has been a report ... or a criminal complaint or conviction."

Financial exploitation under section 626.5572, subd. 9(b) includes a person who, without legal authority, "willfully uses, withholds, or disposes of funds or property of a vulnerable adult" or acquires them "through the use of undue influence, harassment, duress, deception, or fraud." That reaches strangers, not just family members or caregivers, as long as the victim is a vulnerable adult.

Who counts as a vulnerable adult

Age alone does not make someone a vulnerable adult. Section 626.5572, subd. 21 covers adults who live in certain facilities or receive certain licensed or home care services, and also anyone 18 or older who, regardless of residence or services, "possesses a physical or mental infirmity or other physical, mental, or emotional dysfunction" that impairs their ability to care for themselves without assistance and, because of it, has "an impaired ability to protect the individual's self from maltreatment." A capable older person who was deceived may not meet that definition.

Criminal financial exploitation

Section 609.2335 makes financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult a crime, but it is narrower than "anyone who scams a vulnerable adult." It covers two kinds of conduct:

1. A person who, "in breach of a fiduciary obligation recognized elsewhere in law," intentionally fails to use the vulnerable adult's resources for the adult, or uses or deprives the adult of property for someone else's benefit.
2. A person who, without legal authority, acquires control of the vulnerable adult's property or money "through the use of undue influence, harassment, or duress," forces or entices the adult to perform services against their will, or establishes a fiduciary relationship with the adult by undue influence, harassment, duress, force, compulsion, coercion or other enticement.

The criminal text does not list deception or fraud the way the civil definition does. The property offenses are sentenced as provided in the theft statute (section 609.52, subd. 3), so the penalty rises with the amount taken, and amounts taken "within any six-month period" may be added together. The services and fiduciary-relationship offenses carry up to 364 days or a fine of up to $3,000. A stranger who talks a vulnerable adult into sending money may be prosecuted under other criminal laws, which this page does not cover.

Reporting

Minnesota law requires mandated reporters to report suspected maltreatment of a vulnerable adult "immediately" to the common entry point, which is MAARC at 1-844-880-1574 (section 626.557, subd. 3(a)). Mandated reporters are professionals in social services, law enforcement, education, the care of vulnerable adults, occupations listed in section 214.01, subd. 2, and certain facilities and medical examiners (section 626.5572, subd. 16). Banks and financial institutions are not named in that list. Anyone else "may voluntarily report" (section 626.557, subd. 3(b)), and you should if you suspect a parent or neighbor is being exploited.

Bank holds under section 45A.06

Minnesota lets banks, savings banks and associations, credit unions, industrial loan and thrift companies and regulated lenders delay a disbursement when an "eligible adult" may be a victim of financial exploitation. An eligible adult is "a person 65 years of age or older" or a vulnerable adult (section 45A.01, subd. 5). The rules:

1. A financial institution "shall delay a disbursement" if the commissioner of commerce, a law enforcement agency or a prosecuting attorney's office provides information "demonstrating that it is reasonable to believe that financial exploitation ... may have occurred."
2. Without that request, the institution "may, but is not required to," delay a disbursement on its own reasonable belief after an internal review. It must give written notice to the account parties within two business days and notify the common entry point.
3. A delay expires 15 business days after it starts, unless Commerce, law enforcement, the lead investigative agency or a prosecutor asks to extend it, in which case it expires no more than 25 business days after it started. If the institution's internal review supports its belief that exploitation occurred or was attempted, it may extend the delay up to 10 more business days, and an agency or a court order can extend it further.
4. A delay can be appealed to the commissioner of commerce, who decides within five business days.

A parallel rule covers broker-dealers and investment advisers. If you are worried that a parent is about to send money to a scammer, you can ask Commerce for a hold through its senior financial exploitation form (see the table above), and it can help to tell the bank or credit union directly.

Trusted contacts

Laws 2026, chapter 86, signed May 12, 2026, adds a new section 45A.08. A financial institution "may offer a trusted contact program," letting a customer name people the institution can contact if it "suspects fraudulent activity or financial exploitation targeting the customer," and it may report suspected fraud or exploitation to law enforcement or an appropriate public protective agency. The program is voluntary for the institution; it is not a hold or a refund right. The act has no effective-date clause, so under Minn. Stat. section 645.02 it took effect on August 1, 2026.

For fraud against anyone 60 or older, the federal DOJ National Elder Fraud Hotline (833-372-8311) can also help you report. Our elder fraud guide covers the federal side.

Minnesota scam laws on the books

Crypto ATM ban (virtual currency kiosks)

Laws 2026, chapter 65, signed May 5, 2026, created a new section 53B.751. What is in force now, and what comes later:

• In force since August 1, 2026: "a person is prohibited from installing, operating, maintaining, or making available for use a virtual currency kiosk."
• By December 31, 2026: a kiosk operator "must remove the virtual currency kiosk from any location where the virtual currency kiosk is visible or accessible to the public." An operator that does business only through kiosks must also pay out any money or virtual currency it holds for or owes to a customer by that date; the customer chooses dollars at market value or a transfer to a wallet, and a wallet transfer must be made within 30 days of the customer's request. That payout duty does not apply to an operator that keeps another lawful way for customers to access, transfer or redeem their funds.
• Repealed on August 1, 2026: the old kiosk disclosure, terms, acknowledgment and $2,000 new-customer daily limit rules (section 53B.75, subds. 1, 2, 3 and 5).
• Repealed on January 17, 2027: the old new-customer refund rule (section 53B.75, subd. 4) and the new and existing customer definitions it relied on (section 53B.69, subds. 3b and 3c).

The old refund rule required a kiosk operator to refund a new customer's transactions made during a 72-hour new-customer period if the customer was "fraudulently induced" and contacted the operator and a government or law enforcement agency within 14 days. That subdivision stays on the books until January 17, 2027, but it only helps a customer who contacted the operator and a government or law enforcement agency within 14 days of the last transaction in their first 72 hours as a customer; for transactions before the August 1, 2026 ban, that window has closed for anyone who did not already do so. We have not verified whether operators are honoring refund requests that were made in time. If you lost money at a Minnesota crypto ATM, contact the operator and report to law enforcement promptly, and keep your receipts.

Two cautions. The Revisor's online page for section 53B.75 and the Department of Commerce's crypto page may still describe the old kiosk rules, so rely on the session law, Laws 2026, chapter 65. And the ban covers kiosks only: a scammer can still push you to buy crypto on an exchange, wire money or use another channel. Our guide to crypto and investment scams covers those.

Notaries cannot act as immigration consultants

Minn. Stat. section 358.72 says a notary commission "does not authorize an individual to" give legal advice, "act as an immigration consultant or an expert on immigration matters," represent a person in an immigration proceeding, or receive compensation for those services. Subdivision 3 adds: "A notary public may not use the term 'notario' or 'notario publico.'" A notary who is not a lawyer must include a disclaimer saying so in ads, "in each language used." See our guide to notario fraud.

Door-to-door sales: three days to cancel

For a "home solicitation sale," meaning, in general, a purchase "primarily for personal, family or household purposes" with a price of more than $25 that the seller personally solicits and that the buyer agrees to somewhere other than the seller's place of business, section 325G.07 gives the buyer "the right to cancel a home solicitation sale until midnight of the third business day after the day on which the home solicitation sale occurs."

Suing a scammer or a business in Minnesota

Conciliation Court. Minnesota's small claims court is called Conciliation Court. The courts say "General claims of $20,000 or less can be filed in Conciliation Court" (see also section 491A.01, subd. 3a, which sets a $4,000 limit when a seller or lender sues over a consumer credit transaction). Winning is not the same as collecting: section 491A.01, subd. 2 says "No writ of execution or garnishment summons may be issued out of conciliation court," so collecting a judgment takes additional steps.

Deadlines. A lawsuit "for relief on the ground of fraud" must be brought within six years, and "the cause of action shall not be deemed to have accrued until the discovery by the aggrieved party of the facts constituting the fraud" (section 541.05, subd. 1(6)). Our Minnesota statute of limitations guide covers other civil deadlines.

Who you can actually reach. Lawsuits work against people and businesses with a name, an address and assets. A scammer who hid behind a fake identity, a spoofed caller ID or an overseas account is usually not reachable through a Minnesota court. In those cases the payment company, a fast report to law enforcement, and protecting your identity are where your effort pays off. Our guide on when a lawyer helps after a scam explains when hiring one makes sense. If a collector is pursuing you over a debt connected to a scam, see Minnesota debt collection laws.

Related guides

• Scams and fraud: your rights and where to start
• How to get money back after a scam
• Where to report a scam
• Elder fraud
• Crypto and investment scams
• Zelle and payment app scams
• Minnesota identity theft laws
• Minnesota debt collection laws
• Minnesota statute of limitations

Last updated: October 2, 2026.

This article is general legal information, not legal advice. For your specific situation, contact your payment company, the Minnesota office named above, or a lawyer licensed in Minnesota.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sue a scammer in Minnesota?

Possibly, if you can identify and serve them. A consumer (a natural person or family farmer) injured by fraud in connection with a sale of merchandise for personal, family, household or agricultural purposes may sue for damages and reasonable attorney fees under Minn. Stat. section 325F.70, subd. 3, but an anonymous or overseas scammer is usually not reachable through a Minnesota court.

Does the Minnesota Consumer Fraud Act award triple damages?

No. Section 325F.70, subd. 3 provides damages, costs and disbursements, costs of investigation and reasonable attorney fees, with no multiplier. Triple damages (or $10,000, whichever is greater) are available only to a financially exploited vulnerable adult under section 626.557, subd. 20.

What is the public benefit requirement in Minnesota?

In Ly v. Nystrom (2000), the Minnesota Supreme Court held that the private attorney general statute, section 8.31, subd. 3a, applies only to claimants who show their case benefits the public, and that a single one-on-one fraud did not. Since 2023, section 325F.70 says an action under it benefits the public; how courts apply that is unsettled on our research.

Can a Minnesota bank hold a transaction if it suspects elder fraud?

Yes. Under section 45A.06, a bank or credit union must delay a disbursement from the account of someone 65 or older or a vulnerable adult when Commerce, law enforcement or a prosecutor shows reason to believe exploitation may have occurred, and may delay on its own. The delay generally lasts up to 15 business days, or up to 25 if an agency asks to extend it; the institution may add up to 10 more business days if its internal review supports its concern, and an agency or court order can extend it further.

Are crypto ATMs legal in Minnesota?

No. Since August 1, 2026, Laws 2026, chapter 65 prohibits installing, operating, maintaining or making available a virtual currency kiosk, and operators must remove kiosks from public locations by December 31, 2026.

Can I get a refund from a Minnesota crypto ATM?

Maybe, but do not count on it. The old new-customer refund rule (section 53B.75, subd. 4) stays on the books until January 17, 2027, and covered fraudulently induced transactions in the first 72 hours if reported to the operator and a government or law enforcement agency within 14 days of the last such transaction. Since kiosks were banned on August 1, 2026, that 14-day window has closed for anyone who did not already give notice. We have not verified whether operators are honoring refund requests made in time.

Who do I call if a vulnerable adult in Minnesota is being scammed?

Call the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC) at 1-844-880-1574. You can also report suspected exploitation of a senior 65 or older to the Department of Commerce, which can request a bank hold under section 45A.06.

Where do I file a complaint about a scam in Minnesota?

For banks, credit unions, money businesses and senior financial fraud, use the Department of Commerce complaint portal or call 651-539-1600 or 800-657-3602. We could not reach the Attorney General's website on October 2, 2026, so we have not verified its complaint process.

What is the small claims limit in Minnesota?

Minnesota Conciliation Court hears general claims of $20,000 or less (section 491A.01, subd. 3a); a seller or lender suing over a consumer credit transaction is limited to $4,000.

How long do I have to sue for fraud in Minnesota?

Six years under section 541.05, subd. 1(6), and the claim does not accrue until you discover the facts constituting the fraud.