Fraud Alerts

A phishing email has been circulating that appears to come from Minnesota Housing but is actually a scam. The email initially looks like it’s being sent from an official address, but a closer look reveals a mismatched sender. The false sense of urgency and unusual language are also signs of illegitimacy. The message includes a fraudulent verification link, which may lead to a fake website designed to steal credentials.

Please review the example below. If you receive this type of email, do not click any links or provide any information. 

Minnesota Housing was impersonated in a Facebook scam this week about open waitlists for people seeking housing or Section 8/Housing Choice Vouchers. The fraudulent Facebook page has been taken down. 

The perpetrators of the scam, posing as the state agency Minnesota Housing on Facebook, used alternate identities including “Minnesota Housing Authority” and “Minnesota Housing Development Authority” to lure people to apply for nonexistent housing units and vouchers either online or in person.

Unsuspecting people who followed the links were asked for personally identifiable information that, if provided, put them at risk for identity theft. Other people were directed by the scammers to Minnesota Housing’s St. Paul office to apply for the vouchers and housing, only to be told the information they obtained is a scam.

"This scam targets some of the most vulnerable populations in our state, which is unacceptable," Minnesota Housing Deputy Commissioner Rachel Robinson says. "It exploits the urgency tied to housing. We know Minnesotans are struggling to secure safe and stable housing around the state. At Minnesota Housing, we do our best to prevent and address these scams."

Minnesota Housing does not manage housing waitlists and does not issue housing vouchers. Waiting list opening information can be found at HousingLink - Twin Cities Housing Authority Waiting List Openings.

People with questions about federal rental assistance are encouraged to contact their local Public Housing Agency. Minnesota Housing provides other ways to find housing help elsewhere on out website.

Similar disinformation campaigns have targeted housing agencies, authorities and organizations in multiple states. In each case, Facebook/Meta has eventually taken down the reported pages. All fraudulent information was removed from Facebook. The agency has alerted its partners and filed reports with local, state and federal authorities.

GovDelivery is a legitimate platform used by government agencies to send email and text notifications, but scammers may try to impersonate it. To protect yourself, be wary of emails or texts that seem urgent, ask for personal information, or have suspicious links. Always verify the authenticity of the email or text by checking the sender's address, looking for spelling errors, and contacting the agency directly if you have doubts.