June 12th, 2026 Local News
Ste. Genevieve Co., Mo. (KFMO) - The Ste. Genevieve County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a significant increase in financial scams targeting elderly citizens. Authorities say the schemes are becoming increasingly sophisticated and have resulted in victims losing thousands, and in some cases hundreds of thousands, of dollars.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, scammers are trained to sound convincing, create panic, and pressure victims into making quick decisions before they have time to speak with family members, financial institutions, or law enforcement.
Officials say residents should contact the Sheriff’s Office before sending money, sharing personal information, or following instructions received through suspicious phone calls, emails, text messages, or online contacts. Deputies can often help identify a scam before financial losses occur.
One of the most common scams currently being reported involves criminals impersonating banks, credit card companies, federal agencies, the IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare, or law enforcement agencies. Victims are told their bank account has been compromised, their Social Security number is connected to criminal activity, or that a warrant has been issued for their arrest. Scammers then instruct victims to withdraw cash, purchase gift cards, transfer money into cryptocurrency accounts, or move funds to what they describe as safe accounts.
Authorities stress that no legitimate law enforcement agency, government office, court, or financial institution will ever request payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency, or cash pickup services.
The Sheriff’s Office says cryptocurrency and Bitcoin ATM scams are also increasing rapidly. Victims are often kept on the phone while scammers walk them through transactions step-by-step. Because cryptocurrency transactions are difficult to trace and often irreversible, criminals frequently use them to steal funds.
Gift card scams remain another common tactic. Victims are directed to purchase Apple, Google Play, Visa prepaid, Steam, or other reloadable gift cards and then provide the card information to scammers. Once the information is shared, the funds are often transferred immediately and are difficult to recover.
Authorities are also warning residents about grandparent and family emergency scams. In these cases, scammers may pretend to be a grandchild, family member, attorney, or law enforcement officer and claim a loved one has been arrested, injured, or involved in a crash. Victims are pressured to send money quickly and are often instructed not to tell anyone. Officials note that some criminals are now using artificial intelligence technology to imitate the voices of family members.
Computer and tech support scams continue to target residents as well. Victims may receive fake virus warnings, pop-up security alerts, or phone calls claiming to be from Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, or financial institutions. Scammers attempt to gain remote access to computers or phones and then use that access to steal personal information, banking details, and account credentials.
The Sheriff’s Office says prevention remains the best defense because once money is transferred, recovery is often impossible. Criminals commonly use cryptocurrency, gift cards, wire transfers, overseas financial accounts, fake identities, and encrypted communication platforms to conceal their activities. In many cases, funds are moved through multiple accounts within minutes and may end up outside the United States before the fraud is discovered.
Officials encourage residents to be cautious if someone demands immediate action, creates panic, threatens legal consequences, requests secrecy, or asks for payment through cryptocurrency, gift cards, wire transfers, or cash.
Before sending money or providing personal information, residents are encouraged to stop communication with the individual, contact a trusted family member, speak with their financial institution, and call the Sheriff’s Office for guidance.
Authorities are also encouraging families and caregivers to discuss scams regularly with elderly relatives and watch for warning signs such as unusual withdrawals, frequent wire transfers, large gift card purchases, cryptocurrency transactions, or increased contact with unknown individuals online or by phone.
The Sheriff’s Office says many victims are embarrassed and delay reporting scams until substantial losses have occurred. Officials emphasize that residents should not hesitate to seek help if they believe they may be targeted by fraud.
Anyone who receives a suspicious call, email, text message, or online communication is encouraged to stop communication immediately and contact the Ste. Genevieve County Sheriff’s Office before taking further action. Officials say working together can help protect vulnerable residents from financial exploitation and fraud.