More Than $441K Taken From Eagan Residents In Recent Scams: List

EAGAN, MN — Over the past nine months, the Eagan Police Department has taken reports from 26 people who have fallen victim to scams resulting in a total loss of $441,397. These scams vary widely from supposed utility companies requesting payment, to U.S. Marshals claiming the victim’s identity is being used to smuggle drugs.

"Scams succeed because they look like the real thing and catch people off guard when they’re not expecting it," note Eagan police. "The best way to prevent a scam is to be alert to the fact that scams exist, and then learn what warning signs look like."

Authorities say most scams work to incite panic and require a person to take immediate action. When the victim panics from a supposed missed bill or threat of arrest, their critical thinking shuts down.

Scammers then take advantage of this panicked state and can convince people to divulge personal information or to give up money to remedy the situation. Many times, they will ask victims to send payments in non-traditional methods such as gift cards or wire transfers.

Find the list of recent victims in Eagan and the scams they were hit with below: