ST. PAUL, Minn. (GRAY) – Republican candidate for Minnesota governor Lisa Demuth is calling for two state employees to be fired after an investigative report in the Minnesota Star Tribune revealed new details about fraud oversight under the Tim Walz administration.
The Tribune’s report claims that Walz and his agency leaders may have known about possible fraud in state programs and may not have taken immediate steps to prevent it.
Demuth, on Monday, called for Assistant Education Commissioner Daron Korte and Department of Children, Youth, and Families Deputy Commissioner Leah Montgomery to be fired immediately, alleging they were aware of possible fraud and did not act accordingly.
“Despite these red flags, fraud continued to explode in those programs during the eight years of the Walz administration,” Demuth said.
A spokesperson for the Governor’s Office issued the following statement…
CLICK HERE to read the FULL Demuth calls for firings after new report on fraud – KTTC article.
If you suspect you have been targeted by fraudsters, time is your most valuable asset. In the world of cybersecurity, we refer to the “Golden Hour”—the first 60 minutes after a compromise where you have the highest chance of stopping a transaction or preventing identity theft.
Here is your updated South African Fraud Response Action Plan:
PHASE 1: IMMEDIATE ISOLATION (0–30 MINUTES)
Do not wait for a “clear sign” that money has left your account. If you have shared a PIN, OTP, or clicked a suspicious link, act immediately.
Call your Bank’s Fraud Line: Do not use the general customer service number; use the dedicated 24/7 fraud lines listed in the table below.
- Request a “Global Hold”: Ask the agent to place a temporary hold on all digital banking channels, not just your physical cards.
- Secure your Email: If you suspect your email was hacked, change the password immediately and “Log out of all other sessions” in your security settings.
- Kill Remote Access: If you gave someone remote access (via AnyDesk or TeamViewer), disconnect your internet immediately and uninstall the software.
PHASE 2: OFFICIAL REPORTING (1–24 HOURS)
To claim from insurance or the bank, you must have a police case number.
- Visit a SAPS Station: You must lay a formal charge in person. Bring your ID and printouts of the fraudulent transactions or messages.
- The Affidavit: Explicitly state that you want a case opened for investigation.
- Get the CAS Number: Ensure you leave with a Case (CAS) Number. This is the “key” that unlocks further help from the SAFPS and the Bank’s forensics team.
PHASE 3: IDENTITY PROTECTION & DISPUTE (24 HOURS+)
- Register with SAFPS: Contact the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service. They provide “Protective Registration” which alerts all banks and retailers to extra-verify any new credit applications in your name.
- Escalate to the Ombudsman: If your bank refuses to refund you and you feel they were negligent (e.g., they didn’t spot a clear SIM-swap), you can lodge a free complaint with the National Financial Ombudsman.
2026 SOUTH AFRICA FRAUD DIRECTORY
- SAPS Crime Stop: 08600 10111 – saps.gov.za
- SAFPS (Identity Theft): 011 867 2234 – protection@safps.org.za
- National Financial Ombudsman: 0860 800 900 – info@nfosa.co.za
- Standard Bank Fraud: 0800 222 050 – reportfraud@standardbank.co.za
- FNB Fraud Line: 087 575 9444 – phishing@fnb.co.za
- ABSA Fraud Hotline: 0860 557 557 – cibfraud@absa.africa
- Nedbank Fraud Line: 0800 110 929 – phishing@nedbank.co.za
- Capitec Fraud Line: 0860 10 20 43 (WhatsApp) – 067 418 9565
- Discovery Bank Fraud: 011 324 4444 – discovery.co.za