Oct 08, 2024

Missouri Highway Patrol warns of scam using its name

Posted Oct 08, 2024 7:00 PM

By MATT PIKE

St. Joseph Post

A new scam invoking the name of the Missouri State Highway Patrol preys on victims of traffic accidents.

Seargent Shane Hux with Troop H says it’s important to know that the highway patrol will never call you to ask for money.

"And even later on what we're seeing with the most recent scam is people are calling after they have been involved in a motor vehicle crash, and they are calling the victims and requesting money for the motor vehicle crash," Hux tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "And again, obviously that is a scam."

Hux says if you receive one of these calls, it is best to ask the person who they are with and then request a call-back number

"And then call the agency or the company that they are representing just to get verification," Hux explains. "If it's a law enforcement agency, just say ok I just need your name, a good callback number for you, and then do some research yourself and check it out to make sure that it is legit."

Hux says most of the time when you ask for that information, the scammer will hang up. Hux also says it’s important to remember the highway patrol will never ask for money from anyone.

Hux stresses the importance of being aware of these types of scam calls

"If something doesn't seem right or too good to be true, it probably is, just do your research and notify the local jurisdiction law enforcement for clarification on that," Hux says.