Fraud

Missourians are getting calls from scammers claiming to be state highway patrol officers. The real Missouri State Highway Patrol has issued an urgent warning about these villains.

There's a new tougher policy on returns at Missouri and Illinois Target stores.

In just over a month, Missouri residents will go to the polls and let their voice be heard by their vote. The FBI is now issuing warnings to residents and campaign about dangers in the upcoming election and concerns about safety.

This is the time of year in Illinois when many are trying to hurry to finish home repair projects before the colder weather arrives. Criminals know this which is why the state of Illinois is warning of sinister home repair scams happening right now designed to rip you off.

It's bad enough that perpetrators are trying to rob people, but it's even worse that they're preying on the lonely. There are new warnings for women in Missouri of a text message scam that is meant to break their hearts and rob them blind, too.

Obviously no scam is good, but I would argue the worst are the ones that prey on emotions to rob a person blind or worse. That's why there are urgent warnings for Illinois women to be aware there are current ploys that use text messages to lure victims into romance and banking problems.

Beware of any text you receive where a stranger appears polite and "nice". A new one is now making the rounds in Illinois where victims are receiving a link that includes many pleasantries, but it's sinister and will empty your bank account.

Leave it to thieves to find a new way to try and rip you off. There's a new scheme where porch pirates are using fake Amazon delivery vests to steal from Missouri porches and they can easily be picked up online by anyone.

As we get closer to the total solar eclipse that will cross the southern parts of Missouri Monday afternoon, you need to make sure the eclipse glasses you have are safe. There are stern warnings about fakes that could leave you and/or your family blind.

It's always wise to avoid any incoming phone call that says "unspecified" or "potential scam". But, did you know there are 12 specific phone numbers that scammers use all the time to rip off Illinois people?