Sater: Missouri officials warn of scams

FYI…

Scammers in Missouri are trying a worn old con and a couple of fairly unusual ones.

The old con involves sending letters to people with mortgages saying that their lender has changed, and directing them to send their checks to the scammer.

The Missouri Division of Finance, the state's bank regulators, reports that other fraudsters are trying to interest people in a non-existent class action law suit.

Meanwhile, a department investigator found himself being conned after he posed as a borrower seeking an on-line payday loan.  He was then contacted by a collector claiming he was behind on payments and demanding money on a loan that was never received.

Homeowners should know that scammers have access to documents including their property deed, the name of their lender and the amount borrowed, said Rich Weaver, Missouri commissioner of finance.

"This can attract con artists, so Missourians should be highly suspicious of any solicitation, debt collection call or other contact that comes from someone other than their lender," he said.