MSHP to no longer publish names in crash, drowning reports after scammers use public info

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Beginning at 3 p.m. Friday, the Missouri State Highway Patrol will no longer publish the names of those involved in its preliminary online traffic crash and boat/drowning reports, a Friday press release says.

The release says MSHP was “recently notified of scam incidents across the state” that targets crash victims or people who know someone involved in a crash.

“These suspects may have used information obtained via public databases, including the Patrol’s online reports, to sound credible,” the release says.

The release says the gender, age, type of injury and the city and state will still be posted.

“The public safety benefit of the dissemination of information that identifies a traffic/boating crash victim, or drowning victim no longer outweighs the risks when the names are disseminated,” the release says.