Consumer Media Release

December 28, 2004

Telephone Scam

District Attorney Nola Tedesco Foulston is warning consumers about a telephone scam affecting consumers in Sedgwick County. Her office has received numerous complaints from consumers reporting they received a telephone call from an unknown person advising the consumer they had won a government grant of several thousand dollars.

This scam is taking several different forms. In one instance, the caller advises the consumer that they have won a government grant and all the consumer needs to do is give the caller their checking account number so they can charge the consumer a one-time fee. In other instances, the consumer is advised the government is rewarding people for paying their taxes on time, that the consumer will be sent several thousand dollars, and all they need to do is give the caller the consumer’s banking account information.

None of this is true. It is all a scam to get your personal information so that the caller can obtain monies from your account without your permission.

Never give out personal information over the phone to someone who places a call to you.

For additional information on protecting yourself from these crimes, contact the Consumer Fraud and Economic Crimes Division of the District Attorney’s Office at 383-7281