Defenders Archives

DEFENDERS: Scammers using FBI phone number to trick victims

September 28, 2020 5:00 PM Deborah Kendrick

The FBI says scammers are using the FBI’s real telephone number to trick victims.

DEFENDERS: Package text message scams circulating

September 14, 2020 2:45 PM Deborah Kendrick

With so many people shopping online, package deliveries are on the rise and scammers are trying to fool consumers into giving out their personal information.

DEFENDERS: Fake messages offering money, grants during COVID-19 pandemic

September 7, 2020 4:20 PM Deborah Kendrick

The Federal Trade Commission is warning Facebook and WhatsApp users of a possible scam going around during the COVID-19 pandemic.

DEFENDERS: Robocalls decrease during early months of pandemic but could soon increase

August 31, 2020 4:06 PM Deborah Kendrick

During the early months of the pandemic, you might have noticed getting pesky robocalls wasn’t happening as much.

DEFENDERS: FTC warns of scams as COVID-19 stimulus talks drag on

August 24, 2020 2:51 PM Deborah Kendrick

As Congress talks through a second COVID-19 stimulus package, scammers are taking advantage of the time in between.

The state health department reported a record breaking rise in COVID-19 cases on Saturday.

DEFENDERS: FTC sends warning to hundreds of businesses about fake COVID-19 cures

August 17, 2020 5:41 PM Deborah Kendrick

The Federal Trade Commission is issuing warnings to companies and individuals to stop selling fraudulent products claiming cures or treatments for COVID-19.

DEFENDERS: Scammers posing as contact tracers

August 10, 2020 9:57 PM ABC 17 News Team

Some people are taking advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to try and get people’s money. Scammers are finding ways to use contact tracing for their personal gain. For example, some potential victims might get an unsolicited message through text, email or on social media saying that they have come into contact with someone who has

DEFENDERS: Missouri sets record for price gouging complaints in 2020

July 20, 2020 5:40 PM Deborah Kendrick

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, state attorneys general are actively investigating price gouging cases across the United States.

DEFENDERS: Beware of mask exemption cards

July 13, 2020 9:59 PM Deborah Kendrick

Federal agencies are warning about a scam going around as many states and cities mandate face coverings.

DEFENDERS: Text tricks people into COVID-19 scams

April 23, 2020 8:30 PM Deborah Kendrick

The Missouri Attorney General is warning Missourians to keep an eye out for scammers trying to take advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic.

DEFENDERS: Price gouging complaints reach nearly 1,000 in Missouri

April 10, 2020 7:28 PM Deborah Kendrick

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt confirms his office is investigating 951 price gouging complaints related to COVID-19. The number of consumer complaints has increased every week since mid-March when ABC 17 News started monitoring the data. The number of complaints reported on April 10 are 30 times higher than they were

DEFENDERS: Beware of COVID-19 stimulus check scams

March 30, 2020 4:50 PM Deborah Kendrick

The FBI, state attorneys general and other agencies are alerting Americans to possible COVID-19 stimulus check scams.

DEFENDERS: Missouri AG reports more than 500 COVID-19 price gouging complaints

April 1, 2020 7:34 PM Deborah Kendrick

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) The Missouri Attorney General’s office said it has received more than 500 price gouging complaints in the past two weeks related to COVID-19. Chris Nuelle, Press Secretary with the Missouri Attorney General’s office, said it has received 534 complaints as of Wednesday. Attorney General Eric Schmitt says some of the top

DEFENDERS: FBI warns about hackers ‘Zoom Bombing’

March 31, 2020 4:43 PM Deborah Kendrick

The FBI is warning about hackers hijacking video conferences and online classrooms through the popular software called Zoom.

DEFENDERS: Missouri Attorney General monitoring medical supplies price gouging

March 16, 2020 8:24 PM Deborah Kendrick

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt is warning of potential price gouging that could affect the medical supply chain in containing the spread of COVID-19. According to the state’s AG’s office, a supply shortage could potentially cause a spike in prices. As of now, the Missouri Hospital Association has not reported a

Boonville police warn of possible scam related to coronavirus

March 11, 2020 6:47 PM ABC 17 News Team

BOONVILLE, Mo. (KMIZ) Authorities are warning Mid-Missourians about a potential scam related to the new coronavirus. The Boonville Police Department says there is a man apparently going around the area in a van claiming he can make house calls to take blood and test for the coronavirus for $55. Police are asking anyone who has

DEFENDERS: Missouri Attorney General warning about coronavirus scams

March 9, 2020 7:36 PM Deborah Kendrick

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt is asking Missourians to be on the lookout for potential scams related to COVID-19, or coronavirus. Schmitt said consumers need to be on the lookout for a large increase in prices. In most cases, price gouging could be seen with possible price increases on hand sanitizer,