Stories that reveal the tricks behind modern scams

These curated articles highlight real stories of scams, focusing on how fraudsters adapt to deceive victims.

Scammers create fake authority figures on phone calls, impersonating police officers or sheriff's deputies to demand payment for supposed court warrants. Similarly, letters from phony lawyers promise significant financial windfalls but instead seek personal information and money.

NO. 1: COLLAPSING PORCH, FLOODED BASEMENT LEAD TO JUDGMENT ORDER AGAINST WICHITA CONTRACTOR

He has been ordered to pay more than $171,000 after his work on a couple’s house fell apart. | Published June 25, 2024 | Read Full Story by Michael Stavola

NO. 2: 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. 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: MAN GOT LETTER FROM ‘LAWYER’ VOWING $11M PAYOUT FROM STRANGER’S INSURANCE. IT’S FAKE, DA SAYS

“You can’t cash in on a stranger’s life insurance policy — even if a lawyer says you can,” the Federal Trade Commission says. | Published November 13, 2024 | Read Full Story by Amy Renee Leiker

NO. 5: IS THE SEDGWICK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE CALLING YOU FOR MONEY? NOT A CHANCE, THEY SAY

The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents of scammers calling them, posing as its employees. | Published September 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Julie Mah

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.