Real cases: How to avoid falling for financial scams

Scammers use creative tactics to trick people and steal money or personal information. One common warning sign is anyone demanding payment over the phone, like scammers impersonating Wichita police officers or Sedgwick County deputies and threatening arrest unless you pay with gift cards or cryptocurrency.

Deceptive emails that mimic banks or streaming services, such as the fake "activity alert" or subscription notice, are also used to gather your account details. Watch out for official-looking mailers such as the "County Deed Records" postcard, and never click suspicious text links like those pretending to collect toll payments for DriveKS. Always verify requests independently and report scams to authorities if you spot these red flags.

NO. 1: FORMER KANSAS BANK CEO PLEADS GUILTY TO $47.1 MILLION CRYPTO EMBEZZLEMENT SCHEME

“Many victims will never fully recoup losses to their life savings and retirement funds.” | Published May 23, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jacob Unruh

A Wichita man has been ordered to pay more than $171,000, including $50,000-plus to a Sedgwick County couple, after work he did on their home wasn’t completed or caused multiple problems on their home, court records show. By Courtesy photo

NO. 2: 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. 3: 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. 4: 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. 5: 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. 6: 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. 7: ‘SEVERAL HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS’ GONE IN BAD BANK TRANSFER, KANSAS DA SAYS OF SCAM

Someone tricked parties involved in a property sale with fake email addresses that were so close to the real ones no one noticed until it was too late. | Published January 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Amy Renee Leiker

This mailer showed up recently in at least one Sedgwick County resident’s mailbox. The DA’s Office says it’s deceptive. By Courtesy/Sedgwick County District Attorney's Office

NO. 8: ‘DECEPTIVE’ POSTCARD ARRIVING IN LOCAL MAILBOXES. DON’T FALL FOR IT, DA’S OFFICE SAYS

People experiencing cognitive decline are especially vulnerable because the mailers “intentionally prey on their anxieties, vulnerabilities and ability to recall events,” the DA’s Office says. | Published April 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Amy Renee Leiker

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.