Online scammers are getting smarter. Kansas, you have tools to fight back | Opinion

A text message about a highway toll you don’t remember.

A call from someone claiming to be your local sheriff.

An urgent warning that your account has been compromised.

For many Kansans, this is no longer unusual — it is becoming routine.

Fraud is evolving quickly, and the Kansas City metropolitan area is not immune. Last year, Americans reported losing more than $16.6 billion to fraud and internet crime, according to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. Nearly 860,000 internet crime complaints were filed nationwide, while the Federal Trade Commission received fraud reports from more than 2.6 million consumers.

Those numbers reflect a growing reality: Scammers are getting smarter, faster and more convincing.

Today’s scams don’t always look like scams. Messages appear to come from trusted companies. Phone calls can display familiar names or local numbers. Emails and texts are designed to look legitimate, often using logos, language and timing that feel real.

What they all have in common is pressure.

Scammers create urgency to push people into making quick decisions — clicking a link, sharing personal information or sending money. In many cases, they direct victims to pay using methods that are difficult to trace or recover, such as wire transfers, gift cards or cryptocurrency.

In a busy world, where people are managing work, family and constant communication, it is easy to see how these tactics succeed. When something appears urgent or important, the instinct is to respond immediately.

That moment is where scams take hold.

The most effective way to prevent fraud is simple, but powerful: Pause.

If you receive an unexpected request involving money or personal information, take a step back. Verify the source through a trusted contact. Avoid clicking on unfamiliar links. Never share online banking credentials or verification codes.

At my credit union, we see the impact of fraud every day. We work closely with members who are targeted by increasingly sophisticated schemes, and we know how quickly a single moment can turn into a serious financial loss.

That is why we are proud to support the Fight the Fraud initiative — a statewide effort from the Kansas Credit Union Association to raise awareness and give Kansans practical tools to protect themselves.

Fraud prevention starts with awareness. The more informed we are, the harder it becomes for scammers to succeed.

I encourage everyone in our community to learn the warning signs and share this information with others. Visit FightTheFraudKS.com for resources that can help you stay informed and stay protected.

Because in today’s environment, stopping fraud starts with recognizing it.

Mike Augustine is CEO of Frontier Community Credit Union and a member of the Kansas Credit Union Association, a 501(c)(6) nonprofit business league.

This story was originally published April 15, 2026 at 5:07 AM with the headline "Online scammers are getting smarter. Kansas, you have tools to fight back | Opinion."