KANSAS CITY - The Sedgwick County District Attorney's Office is warning specifically area banks, title companies, and realtors about a recent funding transfer scam. The Consumer Protection Division of the DA’s Office recently started an investigation involving a six-figure electronic transfer of funds that had been intended to be sent to a legitimate bank account in anticipation of a property closing.
The email addresses that were the subject of the communication were very close to the legitimate email addresses, but did contain a single letter/digit alteration to the email address which was not noticed until after the transaction. This ultimately contributed to the funds being sent to an illegitimate bank account.
The Sedgwick County DA's Office reminds those institutions to take the following steps when transferring money electronically:
- Confirm the accuracy of any email address purported to represent an
individual or entity who is requesting the electronic transfer of any sum of money.
- Take the time to call and confirm the identity and/or contact information as
well as the account number and routing information of any banking institution to whom money is being electronically sent.