Best strategies for detecting online scams
These curated articles highlight methods used by scammers to trick individuals into providing personal information or money. Scammers often pose as officials or legitimate businesses to exploit trust and urgency.
In one article, scammers impersonate Wichita Police Department officers, claiming victims have court warrants. They ask for payments and personal information, like social security numbers. Another article warns of phone scams from numbers claiming to be Sedgwick and Butler County Sheriff's representatives, where scammers demand money using threats of arrest.
A different scenario involves emails made to appear as alerts from banks or services like Paramount Plus, urging recipients to click links that lead to phishing attempts.
Lastly, scams involving text messages purporting to come from the Kansas Turnpike Authority pressure individuals to pay alleged tolls, with links leading to fake sites. Authorities consistently advise avoiding engagement, verifying sender authenticity, and reporting suspected scams to agencies like the Federal Trade Commission or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
NO. 1: IF YOU GET A CALL FROM THIS NUMBER, DON’T ANSWER OR TALK, OFFICERS WARN. IT’S A SCAM.
Several Kansas county sheriff’s offices are warning residents about scammers impersonating officers and demanding money. | Published July 10, 2024 | Read Full Story by Eduardo Castillo
NO. 2: TEXT SCAM USES KANSAS’ NEW TOLL PAYMENT NAME AND LOGO TO SOLICIT MONEY, OFFICIALS SAY
KTA said it learned about the scam Tuesday afternoon. | Published September 17, 2024 | Read Full Story by Michael Stavola
NO. 3: IF YOU GET A CALL FROM SOMEONE WHO CLAIMS TO BE A WICHITA OFFICER AND ASKS THIS, HANG UP
Here’s how to avoid being scammed. | Published September 19, 2024 | Read Full Story by Eduardo Castillo
NO. 4: EVEN PROSECUTORS GET SCAM EMAILS TRYING TO STEAL THEIR BANK INFO. WATCH OUT FOR THESE
The Sedgwick County district attorney has a new warning about scam emails after he received one. | Published December 31, 2024 | Read Full Story by Amy Renee Leiker
NO. 5: GETTING TEXTS THAT YOU OWE KANSAS FOR TRAFFIC TOLLS? IGNORE THEM, TURNPIKE OFFICIALS SAY
The texts are a “smishing” con, designed to download malware, or trick people into sharing personal information or sending money to cybercriminals. | Published February 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Eric Adler
The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.