Recognizing and preventing modern scams
It’s getting to the time of Holiday season where people are ordering gifts or booking traveling online. One major thing to watch out for is scams. During a Living Well Wednesday webinar hosted by Kansas State University, Ed Burr, investigator with the Kansas Attorney General’s Office, shared tips on how to identify fraudulent activity, protect personal information and respond safely if targeted. Burr emphasized that scams could happen to anyone, regardless of age or experience. “These scammers are highly trained and very good at what they do,” he said. “Their goal is to make you act quickly and emotionally before you have time to think.” Common Scams and How to Stay Safe One of the newest and most alarming tactics involves AI-generated voice cloning. Burr shared the story of a woman who answered a call she believed was from her grandson — only to discover the voice was a scammer using AI technology. His advice: families should establish a code word to verify a loved one’s identity in unexpected calls. He also warned against falling for computer locks or tech support scams. Victims may receive a message claiming their computer has been hacked or locked and that they must call a provided number or speak with a supposed FBI agent. “The best thing you can do is hang up, shut down your computer and unplug it,” Burr said. “Never click links, download attachments, or sign into bank accounts when prompted.” If you believe you’ve been targeted, contact law enforcement and your bank immediately. Burr noted that once money is transferred to scammers, recovery is extremely difficult. Online and Social Media Risks Burr said scammers are increasingly using social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Tik-Tok and dating sites to lure victims into conversations that eventually move to other, less secure platforms. He also urged people to be cautious when buying from online marketplaces and to verify who they’re communicating with.
Burr highlighted the prevalence of romance scams, in which fraudsters build emotional connections over time to gain trust and eventually request money. These scams, he said, are often orchestrated by organized groups in Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Cambodia and India. “These operations are highly organized, and they thrive on emotional manipulation,” Burr said. Protecting Yourself Burr encouraged Kansans to:
• Be skeptical of unsolicited messages or “wrong number” texts that quickly become personal.
• Verify credentials before investing money or sharing information; check with the Kansas Securities Commission or the FBI’s consumer resources.
• Avoid making decisions under pressure or through emotional appeals.
• Stay educated about emerging scams and talk openly with friends and family to reduce stigma or embarrassment. “Scammers prey on trust and emotion,” Burr said. “Education and awareness are the best tools we have to stop them.”
For more information, see (www.ksre.k-state.edu/ news-and-publications/news) and the Kansas Attorney General’s Office website at (www. ag.ks.gov) Kendal Henson is a Kansas State Extension 4-H & Youth Development agent assigned to the Southwind District. He may be reached at [email protected] or 620-625-8620.
