By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
Scams continue to plague area residents.
Local law enforcement doesn’t see it letting up anytime soon.
Buchanan County Sheriff, Bill Puett, says many times a con artist will claim to be from the sheriff’s office and state if the person doesn’t hand over cash right now, they or a loved one will be thrown in jail. Puett says don’t fall for it.
“A governmental entity, the sheriff’s office, court administrator, anybody like that; number one, we don’t threaten anybody in lieu of giving us money,” Puett says during an appearance on KFEQmmunity.
The same goes for the St. Joseph Police Department.
St. Joseph Police Chief, Paul Luster, gives the same answer: the department will not threaten you or a loved one with jail time or try to pry money from you during a phone call.
“That’s not going to happen. We’re not going to do that. That’s a scam,” Luster says during a separate appearance on KFEQmmunity. “I like to put that information out there a lot. That that is 100% every time a scam, because we’re not ever going to call you or text you and ask for money.”
Both Luster and Puett says any resident who has questions should call their department immediately to verify.
Also, never give personal or financial information over the phone. Never quick on the link provided in a text.
A Georgia man has been sentenced for fraud after using a romance scheme on Facebook to defraud elderly residents in three states, including Missouri, out of more than $300,000.
Puett says con artists often target the elderly.
“There are horrific examples of large amounts of money that have been scammed off people because of these romance (scams); $316,000 is not that much compared to some of the cases that I’ve seen,” Puett says.
Puett says loses can total in the millions.
Luster, says pressure tactics can even trip up the suspicious.
“We’ll talk to a lot of the victims after the fact and they’ll say, ‘I knew it. I knew this wasn’t legit, but I did it anyways,’” according to Luster. “It’s because of that high-pressure tactic that they kind of feel forced into it.”
Technology has made it even more difficult to spot a scam. Luster says residents often receive spoof phone calls, claiming to be from law enforcement, often stating you better fork over money or you or a loved one will end up in jail.
“So, you’re sitting at home, your caller ID says St. Joseph Police Department. My name’s even been on them: Chief Paul Luster is calling you and then it’s this, you need to give us money because your loved ones in jail or you’re behind on your taxes and we’re going to come and arrest you,” Luster says.
Luster cautions residents to beware.
“I always tell everybody, go with that gut instinct. If it doesn’t seem right, hang up the phone and call us.”
Luster says those who suspect they have received a scam call should call the St. Joseph non-emergency number 271-4777 to either verify the call or report the scam.
You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.