Detecting and Avoiding Scams Impacting Minnesota’s Diverse Communities

Thursday, May 19, 2022 | 11:00 am CT

Open Book, 1011 Washington Ave South, Minneapolis MN (On-site)

Guest Speakers

• Joannie Wei, Attorney, Federal Trade Commission/Midwest Region
• Jennifer Leach, Director, Consumer and Business Education, the FTC/Washington DC
• Katherine Kelly, Special Outreach and Protection Unit, Office of Minnesota Attorney General
• Elizabeth Goodell, Supervising Attorney, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid
• Bao Vang, VP Communications, Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota
• Community stakeholders

News Reports from this Media Briefing

• FTC to Minnesotans: Everyone Has a Scam Story — Now’s the Time to Tell It
• Exodus Lending: An Escape Route for Victims of Predatory Loans

Event Description

Every year, scammers defraud the public of hundreds of millions of dollars by selling fake services and worthless products — for everything from housing, car sales and health care to debt collection, jobs and education. Meanwhile, impostors threaten people with jail if they fail to pay non-existent fines or fees.

Our briefing will bring together FTC officials, legal service providers, law enforcement officials, community representatives and local/ethnic media reporters to talk about the latest scams targeting immigrants, communities of color, young people and older Americans across Minnesota; what people can do if they’ve been targeted; how to spot and avoid scams.

Presented by the Federal Trade Commission
and Ethnic Media Services