scams

Avoid Holiday Scams, 'Grinches,' 12 Tips From St. Louis BBB

Alex Heuer, Mary Edwards and Don Marsh — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 21:41:13 +0000

Midwesterners are often known for their kindness and, unfortunately, some people take advantage of it, especially during the holidays.

Host Don Marsh talked with Bill Smith, an investigator for the St. Louis Better Business Bureau.

They addressed ways to avoid becoming the victim of so-called “grinches,” including these twelve tips to outsmart scammers.

Scammers using govt. letterheads to steal money, Mo. AG Koster says

Marshall Griffin — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 23:21:26 +0000

The latest scam designed to separate Missouri residents from their money involves phony letters from the State Attorney General’s office, the IRS and other government agencies.

The letters include a fake government letterhead, and state that the recipient has won a million dollars or more in prize money. Attorney General Chris Koster (D) says the intended victims are then informed that they owe thousands of dollars in taxes and fees on the winnings and are instructed to pay them via Western Union.

A Jamaican lottery scam with St. Louis ties

The Associated Press — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 19:10:14 +0000

Two St. Louis residents face sentencing in October after pleading guilty to a scam targeting retirees from across the country.

Authorities say 32-year-old Andre DePass and 24-year-old Jayneise Hampton pleaded guilty Monday to several charges. A third suspect, 33-year-old Nollis Hudson of Montego Bay, Jamaica, remains at large.

Are you an Ameren customer? Beware of new scam

The Associated Press — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:30:09 +0000

The St. Louis-based utility company Ameren is urging customers to watch out for a scam aimed at illegally obtaining Social Security numbers.

Ameren says utility customers in several states, including Ameren customers in Missouri and Illinois, are being falsely told that the federal government will provide a credit or directly pay utility bills. The scammers seek the customer's Social Security number as part of the fraudulent effort to obtain the credit or payment.

Mo. state treasurer warns of unclaimed property scam

Kelsey Proud — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 19:56:35 +0000

Missouri State Treasurer Clint Zweifel has issued a warning to Missourians regarding an email scam related to the collection of unclaimed property.

Zweifel has made a point of returning unclaimed property to Missourians recently.

Here are the details of the scam, as described in a release from Zweifel: