Consumer Protection in Minnesota

Overview

Minnesota has some of the strongest consumer protection laws in the country. If a business lies to you, cheats you, or uses unfair practices, you have the right to fight back. In many cases, you can recover your losses, collect additional damages, and make the business pay your attorney fees.

Three state laws form the backbone of consumer protection in Minnesota:

• The Deceptive Trade Practices Act ( Minn. Stat. § 325D.44 ) bans 13 specific deceptive practices, plus a catch-all for any other deceptive conduct.
• The Consumer Fraud Act ( Minn. Stat. § 325F.69 ) makes it illegal to use fraud, misrepresentation, or unfair practices when selling goods or services.
• The Private Attorney General statute ( Minn. Stat. § 8.31 ) gives you the power to enforce these laws yourself. You can sue the business directly and recover damages up to $25,000 per violation, plus attorney fees.

Beyond these core laws, Minnesota also limits what debt collectors can do, protects your property from creditors, and restricts how much of your wages can be taken through garnishment.

Who this guide is for: Any person in Minnesota who has been scammed, cheated by a business, harassed by a debt collector, or is dealing with garnishment of wages or bank accounts.

Deceptive Trade Practices Act (Section 325D.44)

Minnesota’s Deceptive Trade Practices Act bans specific types of dishonest business conduct. A business commits a deceptive trade practice if it does any of the following:

1. Passes off goods or services as those of another business
2. Causes confusion about the source, sponsorship, or approval of goods or services
3. Causes confusion about its connection with another business
4. Uses misleading descriptions of the geographic origin of goods or services
5. Claims goods or services have features they do not have (sponsorship, approval, characteristics, ingredients, uses, benefits, or quantities)
6. Claims goods are original or new when they are not
7. Claims goods or services are of a certain quality or grade when they are not
8. Disparages another business’s goods, services, or business with false or misleading statements
9. Advertises goods or services without intending to sell them as advertised (bait-and-switch)
10. Advertises goods or services without intending to supply a reasonable amount at the advertised price
11. Makes false statements about reasons for price reductions
12. Engages in other conduct that creates a likelihood of confusion or misunderstanding (catch-all)
13. Uses deceptive framing in the sale of goods or services

The 2025 Junk Fees Amendment

Starting in 2025, Minnesota law requires businesses to show all-in pricing. This means the price you see must include all mandatory fees. A business cannot advertise a low price and then add hidden “service fees,” “processing fees,” or “convenience fees” at checkout. If a fee is mandatory, it must be included in the listed price.

This applies to any sale of goods or services in Minnesota, including online purchases.

Remedies

Under the Deceptive Trade Practices Act, you can get:

• A court order (injunction) to stop the deceptive practice
• Damages under the Private Attorney General statute (see below)
• Attorney fees if you win

Consumer Fraud Act (Section 325F.69)

The Consumer Fraud Act is broader than the Deceptive Trade Practices Act. It makes it illegal to use fraud, false promises, misrepresentation, misleading statements, or deceptive practices in connection with the sale of any merchandise, whether or not anyone actually loses money.

This law covers:

• Outright lies about a product or service
• False promises (saying something will happen when the business knows it will not)
• Misleading claims that leave out important information
• Unfair practices in selling goods or services
• Scams of all kinds, including door-to-door sales fraud, online scams, and phone scams

“Merchandise” is defined broadly under this law. It includes goods, services, and anything else offered for sale.

Common Scams in Minnesota

Here are some of the most common consumer fraud situations in Minnesota:

Type of Scam	What Happens
Home repair fraud	A contractor takes your money and does not complete the work, or does shoddy work far below what was promised
Auto repair fraud	A shop charges for repairs that were not done, or claims repairs are needed when they are not
Bait-and-switch	A business advertises a low price to get you in the door, then pressures you to buy something more expensive
Fake debt collection	Someone pretends to be a debt collector and demands payment for a debt you do not owe
Elder fraud	Scammers target older Minnesotans with fake lottery winnings, grandchild-in-trouble calls, or fraudulent home repair offers
Online purchase fraud	You pay for a product online and never receive it, or receive something very different from what was described
Identity theft	Someone uses your personal information to open accounts, make purchases, or commit fraud in your name

Private Attorney General Statute (Section 8.31)

This is the most powerful tool in Minnesota consumer protection law. Under Minn. Stat. § 8.31 subdivision 3a, you do not need to wait for the state to act. You can enforce the Deceptive Trade Practices Act and the Consumer Fraud Act yourself by filing a lawsuit.

What You Can Recover

If you bring a successful Private Attorney General action, you can recover:

• Actual damages (the money you lost)
• Up to $25,000 per violation in statutory damages
• Attorney fees (the business pays your lawyer)
• Costs of the lawsuit

The attorney fees provision is especially important. It means that a lawyer may be willing to take your case even if your individual losses are small, because the business will have to pay the lawyer if you win.

How It Works

1. You file a lawsuit in district court.
2. You prove that the business violated the Deceptive Trade Practices Act or Consumer Fraud Act.
3. The court can award damages, attorney fees, and costs.

The Attorney General’s Role

The Minnesota Attorney General also enforces consumer protection laws. You can file a complaint with the Attorney General’s office even if you also file a lawsuit. The AG can:

• Investigate the business
• Seek civil penalties up to $25,000 per violation
• Get a court order to stop the practice
• Seek restitution for affected consumers

To file a complaint: call 651-296-3353 (Twin Cities) or 800-657-3787 (outside metro), or visit ag.state.mn.us.

Debt Collection Protections (Chapter 332)

Minnesota regulates debt collectors through Chapter 332 of the Minnesota Statutes. These rules apply to third-party debt collectors (companies that buy debts or collect debts for other businesses). The federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) provides a floor of protection, and Minnesota law adds to it.

What Debt Collectors Cannot Do

Under Minn. Stat. § 332 and the FDCPA, a debt collector cannot:

• Threaten violence or harm against you, your family, or your property
• Use obscene or abusive language
• Call you at unreasonable times (before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.)
• Call your workplace if you tell them your employer does not allow it
• Contact you directly after you hire a lawyer (they must contact your lawyer instead)
• Lie about the amount you owe
• Falsely claim to be a lawyer, law enforcement, or government agent
• Threaten to sue if they do not actually intend to sue
• Threaten actions they cannot legally take (like threatening arrest for a civil debt)
• Publish your name on a “deadbeat list” or publicly shame you
• Collect fees or charges that are not authorized by the original agreement or by law
• Deposit a post-dated check early

What Debt Collectors Must Do

A debt collector must:

• Identify themselves and tell you the name of the creditor
• Send you written notice within 5 days of first contact, including the amount of the debt, the name of the creditor, and your right to dispute
• Stop contacting you if you send a written request (except to notify you of specific legal actions)
• Verify the debt if you dispute it within 30 days of their first written notice

Your Rights When Contacted by a Debt Collector

1. Ask for verification. Within 30 days of the collector’s first written notice, send a written request asking them to verify the debt. They must stop collection until they provide verification.
2. Send a cease-contact letter. If you want them to stop calling, send a written letter by certified mail telling them to stop. Keep a copy.
3. Document everything. Write down the date, time, and content of every call. Save all letters and voicemails.
4. Know the statute of limitations. In Minnesota, the statute of limitations for most debt collection lawsuits is 6 years. If the debt is older than 6 years, the collector may not be able to sue you. But be careful: making a payment on an old debt can restart the clock.

Property Exempt from Creditors (Section 550.37)

If a creditor gets a judgment against you, they cannot take everything you own. Minnesota law protects certain property from creditors. These are called exemptions.

Under Minn. Stat. § 550.37 , the following property is exempt (creditors cannot take it):

Property	Exemption Amount
Household goods, furniture, appliances, and personal items	Up to $12,150 total
One motor vehicle	Up to $10,000 in value (higher for vehicle modified for disability)
Tools of your trade	Up to $12,150
Homestead	Unlimited (your home is protected under the separate MN homestead exemption)
Retirement accounts	$81,000+ (IRAs, 401(k)s, pensions — amount adjusts periodically)
All government benefits	Fully exempt — Social Security, SSI, MFIP, SNAP, unemployment, veterans’ benefits, workers’ compensation
Life insurance proceeds	Up to $46,000
Wedding rings	Exempt regardless of value
Family Bible and other religious items	Exempt
Burial plot	Exempt
Public assistance payments	Fully exempt

Exempt Earnings in Your Bank Account

This is an important protection many people do not know about. Under Minn. Stat. § 550.37 , exempt earnings remain exempt for 20 days after they are deposited in your bank account. This means:

• If your paycheck is deposited on Monday, a creditor cannot garnish that money for 20 days.
• Government benefits (Social Security, SSI, MFIP, SNAP, unemployment) are always exempt in your bank account, no matter how long they have been there.

If a creditor tries to freeze or take money from your bank account that is exempt, you have the right to file a motion with the court to release the funds.

Wage Garnishment Limits (Section 571.922)

If a creditor gets a court judgment against you, they may try to garnish (take) part of your wages. Minnesota law limits how much they can take. Minnesota’s limits are more protective than federal law.

Under Minn. Stat. § 571.922 :

Your Weekly Disposable Income	Amount That Can Be Garnished
Less than 40 times MN minimum wage ($432/week at $10.85/hr)	$0 — nothing can be garnished
40 times MN minimum wage or more	The lesser of: 25% of disposable income OR the amount above 40 times minimum wage

“Disposable income” means your pay after required deductions like taxes, Social Security, and Medicare. It does not include voluntary deductions like retirement contributions or health insurance.

Key Points About Wage Garnishment

• The minimum wage threshold is critical. If your weekly disposable income is less than 40 times Minnesota minimum wage, your wages are completely protected from garnishment.
• Minnesota uses state minimum wage, which may be different from the federal minimum wage. As of 2026, the Minnesota minimum wage for large employers is $10.85 per hour, so the threshold is approximately $432 per week.
• Child support and taxes are different. The limits above apply to regular creditor judgments. Child support and tax debts have different (higher) garnishment limits.
• Student loan garnishment follows federal rules, which may allow garnishment of up to 15% of disposable income.

What to Do If Your Wages Are Being Garnished

1. Check the math. Make sure the garnishment amount is correct under Minn. Stat. § 571.922 . If too much is being taken, you can challenge it.
2. File an exemption claim. If your income is below the threshold or you have exempt income, file a claim of exemption with the court.
3. Respond quickly. You usually have 10 days to file an exemption claim after receiving a garnishment notice.
4. Get help. Contact a legal aid office for free assistance with garnishment issues.

What to Do If You Have Been Scammed

Step 1: Stop Further Losses

Act quickly to limit the damage:

• Stop all payments to the scammer immediately. Cancel any recurring payments, automatic transfers, or subscriptions.
• Contact your bank or credit card company. If you paid by credit card, request a chargeback. If you paid by debit card or bank transfer, report the fraud to your bank.
• Change your passwords if you shared any login information.
• Place a fraud alert on your credit reports. Contact any one of the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) and they will notify the other two.
• Freeze your credit if your Social Security number or personal information was compromised. This is free and prevents new accounts from being opened in your name.

Step 2: Document Everything

Good records are essential if you want to recover your money:

• Save all communications — emails, texts, letters, voicemails, social media messages
• Take screenshots of websites, ads, or online posts related to the scam
• Write down what happened while it is fresh in your memory: dates, times, names, what was said, what was promised
• Keep all receipts and records of payments
• Get a copy of your credit report to check for unauthorized accounts

Step 3: Report the Scam

Report the scam to all relevant authorities:

• Minnesota Attorney General: Call 651-296-3353 (Twin Cities) or 800-657-3787 (outside metro), or file online at ag.state.mn.us
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Report at reportfraud.ftc.gov
• Local police: File a police report, especially if a large amount of money is involved
• Better Business Bureau: File a complaint at bbb.org
• Your bank or credit card company: Report the fraudulent transaction
• Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): For online scams, report at ic3.gov

Filing a complaint with the Attorney General is important even if you do not file a lawsuit. The AG tracks complaints and may take enforcement action if a pattern of fraud emerges.

Step 4: Consider Your Legal Options

You have several options for recovering your money:

File a lawsuit under the Private Attorney General statute ( Minn. Stat. § 8.31 ). This is often the strongest option because you can recover damages up to $25,000 per violation plus attorney fees. Many consumer protection attorneys will take these cases on contingency or with fee-shifting.

File a small claims court case. If your losses are $15,000 or less, small claims court is a faster and less expensive option. You do not need a lawyer, but you may want one.

Negotiate directly. Send a demand letter to the business explaining the violation and what you want. Many businesses will settle rather than face a lawsuit with attorney fee exposure.

Contact legal aid. If you cannot afford a lawyer, legal aid organizations can help with consumer protection cases. See “Where to Get Help” below.

Step 5: Protect Yourself Going Forward

Take steps to avoid future scams:

• Check businesses before you pay. Look them up on the Better Business Bureau website and the Attorney General’s website.
• Get written contracts for any significant purchase or service.
• Be skeptical of unsolicited offers, especially those that pressure you to act fast or pay in unusual ways (gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency).
• Never give out personal information (Social Security number, bank account numbers, passwords) to someone who contacts you unexpectedly.
• Monitor your credit reports regularly. You can get free reports at annualcreditreport.com.

Key Deadlines

Deadline	Details	Statute
6 years	Statute of limitations for consumer fraud and deceptive trade practices claims	Minn. Stat. § 541.05
6 years	Statute of limitations for most debt collection lawsuits	Minn. Stat. § 541.05
30 days	Time to dispute a debt after receiving written notice from a collector	FDCPA, 15 U.S.C. 1692g
10 days	Time to file an exemption claim after receiving a garnishment notice	Minn. Stat. § 571.922
20 days	Exempt earnings remain protected in your bank account after deposit	Minn. Stat. § 550.37
60 days	Time to request a chargeback from your credit card company (check your card’s policy; some allow longer)	Federal law (Reg. Z)

When to Get a Lawyer

You can handle some consumer protection issues yourself, but consider getting legal help if:

• You lost a significant amount of money to a scam or deceptive practice
• A business violated the Deceptive Trade Practices Act or Consumer Fraud Act and you want to file a Private Attorney General action
• A debt collector is harassing you or violating the law
• Your wages are being garnished and you believe the amount is wrong or you are exempt
• A creditor is trying to take property that is exempt under Minnesota law
• You have been sued by a creditor and need help responding to the lawsuit
• You are dealing with identity theft and need help clearing your records

Many consumer protection attorneys offer free initial consultations. Because of the attorney fees provision in Minn. Stat. § 8.31 , many will take cases on contingency or with fee-shifting, meaning you may not have to pay up front.

Related Guides

Defending Against Debt Collection Lawsuits in Minnesota

A plain-language guide to understanding your rights when you are sued for a debt in Minnesota, including common defenses and the court process.

Small Claims Court (Conciliation Court) in Minnesota

A step-by-step guide to filing and defending a case in Minnesota small claims court (conciliation court). Learn the process, costs, limits, and what to expect.

Filing for Bankruptcy in Minnesota

A plain-language guide to understanding bankruptcy options in Minnesota, including Chapter 7 and Chapter 13, exemptions, and the filing process.

Public Benefits in Minnesota

A plain-language guide to public benefits in Minnesota including SNAP food assistance, Medical Assistance, MinnesotaCare, MFIP, General Assistance, and SSI/SSDI.

Where to Get Help

• Minnesota Attorney General’s Office: Consumer complaints and investigations. Call 651-296-3353 (Twin Cities) or 800-657-3787 (greater Minnesota), or visit ag.state.mn.us.
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Report fraud at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
• 211 (United Way): Dial 2-1-1 for help finding local resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a lawyer to file a consumer protection claim? Not always. You can file a complaint with the Attorney General yourself, and you can file a small claims case for losses up to $15,000 without a lawyer. However, for a Private Attorney General action under Minn. Stat. § 8.31 , a lawyer is strongly recommended. The good news is that many consumer protection lawyers will take your case without charging you up front because the law requires the business to pay attorney fees if you win.

How much can I recover in a consumer fraud case? Under the Private Attorney General statute ( Minn. Stat. § 8.31 ), you can recover your actual damages (the money you lost), plus statutory damages of up to $25,000 per violation, plus attorney fees and costs. The exact amount depends on the facts of your case.

A debt collector keeps calling me. How do I make them stop? Send a written letter by certified mail telling the collector to stop contacting you. Under the FDCPA, they must stop all contact except to notify you of specific legal actions (like filing a lawsuit). Keep a copy of your letter and the certified mail receipt.

Can a creditor take my Social Security or other government benefits? No. Under Minn. Stat. § 550.37 , all government benefits are fully exempt from creditors. This includes Social Security, SSI, MFIP, SNAP, unemployment benefits, veterans’ benefits, and workers’ compensation. These benefits are protected even after they are deposited in your bank account.

My wages are being garnished. Can I stop it? It depends on your income. If your weekly disposable income is less than 40 times Minnesota minimum wage (about $432/week), your wages are completely protected and cannot be garnished at all under Minn. Stat. § 571.922 . Even if your income is above this threshold, only a limited amount can be taken. File an exemption claim with the court within 10 days of receiving the garnishment notice.

What is the statute of limitations for a consumer fraud claim? You have 6 years from the date of the fraud to file a lawsuit. This applies to both deceptive trade practices claims under Minn. Stat. § 325D.44 and consumer fraud claims under Minn. Stat. § 325F.69 . Do not wait until the last minute — evidence becomes harder to gather over time.

I was scammed online. Does Minnesota law still apply? If you are a Minnesota resident and the transaction was directed at Minnesota consumers, Minnesota consumer protection laws generally apply, even if the business is located in another state. However, enforcing a judgment against an out-of-state business can be more difficult. File a complaint with the Minnesota Attorney General and the FTC.

What are “junk fees” and are they illegal in Minnesota? Junk fees are hidden mandatory charges that are not included in the advertised price, such as “service fees,” “processing fees,” or “convenience fees.” Under the 2025 amendment to Minn. Stat. § 325D.44 , businesses in Minnesota must include all mandatory fees in the listed price. If a business is hiding mandatory fees, that is a deceptive trade practice and you can take action.