The Sedgwick County District Attorney is investigating two computer scams that have resulted in Wichita residents losing tens of thousands of dollars.

DA Marc Bennett released information on the scams Wednesday.  In one case, a Wichita man in his late 70s received a pop-up warning on his computer stating that his bank account had been hacked.  The scammer told the man to wire over $35,000 to another bank account to “keep his money from being stolen, and to catch the hacker.”  The man wired the money and the scammer then asked for another $20,000.  The man’s bank in Wichita blocked the wire transfer and it was then that he knew this was a scam.

In the other case, a Wichita woman in her mid-70s received a pop-up warning that her computer had been hacked.  When she called a number displayed on the screen, a woman claiming to be from Microsoft answered and asked for authorization to log into her computer.   The woman told the victim that someone had withdrawn $20,000 to buy pornography, and she told the victim that she could be charged with having pornography and money laundering.   The scammer convinced the Wichita woman to make several withdrawals from her bank, resulting in a loss of almost $140,000.

Bennett there are several things to remember to avoid scams like this:

– Never call the number in the text, email, or pop up. Always look up the company if you are concerned. Call the number directly from the company website.

– If someone you have never met asks for cash, gift cards, or cryptocurrency, it is a scam.

– Legitimate companies do not use pop up messages on computers to contact their customers. If you receive such a message, or telephone call, or cell phone text, it is a scam. Hang up the phone or just disregard the pop up message.

People with questions on consumer-related transactions can call the District Attorney’s Consumer Protection Division at 316-660-3600.