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Kansas Department of Transportation warns of new text scam

The article from Yahoo News, titled "Kansas Department of Transportation Warns of Text Scam," discusses a recent scam that has been targeting residents of Kansas. The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) has issued a warning to the public about a text message scam that claims to be from KDOT and asks recipients to click on a link to pay a toll fee. The scam has been reported by several residents, and KDOT is urging people to be cautious and not to click on any suspicious links.

The scam text message typically reads, "Kansas Turnpike Toll: You have an outstanding toll fee. To avoid a late fee, please click the link to pay now." The link provided in the text message leads to a fake website that is designed to look like the official Kansas Turnpike Authority website. Once on the fake website, victims are prompted to enter their personal and financial information to pay the supposed toll fee. However, this information is then stolen by the scammers and used for fraudulent purposes.

KDOT has emphasized that they do not send text messages to collect toll fees and that any such message should be considered a scam. The department has advised residents to report any suspicious text messages to the Kansas Attorney General's Office and to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). KDOT has also encouraged people to spread the word about the scam to help protect others from falling victim to it.

The article goes on to provide more information about the Kansas Turnpike and how tolls are typically collected. The Kansas Turnpike is a 236-mile toll road that runs from the Oklahoma state line to Kansas City. Tolls are collected at various toll plazas along the turnpike, and drivers can pay with cash, credit/debit cards, or through the K-TAG electronic toll collection system. KDOT has stated that if a driver does not have a K-TAG and fails to pay a toll, they will receive a bill in the mail, not a text message.

The article also discusses the broader issue of text message scams and how they have become increasingly common in recent years. Scammers often use text messages because they are a quick and easy way to reach a large number of people. Text message scams can take many forms, including fake bank alerts, prize notifications, and package delivery scams. The article provides tips for avoiding text message scams, such as not clicking on links from unknown senders, verifying the legitimacy of any message before taking action, and reporting suspicious texts to the appropriate authorities.

In addition to the KDOT scam, the article mentions other recent scams that have targeted Kansas residents. One such scam involves fake calls from the Kansas Department of Revenue, claiming that the recipient owes back taxes and must pay immediately to avoid legal action. Another scam involves fake emails from the Kansas Department of Labor, claiming that the recipient is eligible for unemployment benefits and must click on a link to apply. These scams are designed to trick people into providing personal and financial information or making payments to the scammers.

The article also discusses the efforts of Kansas law enforcement to combat scams and protect residents. The Kansas Attorney General's Office has a dedicated Consumer Protection Division that investigates and prosecutes scams and other forms of consumer fraud. The division also provides resources and information to help consumers protect themselves from scams. In addition, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) has a Cyber Crimes Unit that investigates internet and technology-related crimes, including scams.

The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of staying vigilant and taking steps to protect oneself from scams. It encourages readers to educate themselves about common scams, to be cautious when receiving unsolicited messages or calls, and to report any suspicious activity to the appropriate authorities. By working together, the article suggests, Kansas residents can help to prevent scams and protect their community from fraud.

Overall, the article provides a comprehensive overview of the recent KDOT text scam, as well as broader information about scams in Kansas and how to avoid them. It serves as a valuable resource for Kansas residents looking to protect themselves from fraud and stay informed about the latest scams targeting their community.

Read the Full WDAF Article at:
[ https://www.yahoo.com/news/kansas-department-transportation-warns-text-224624131.html ]