Wright County Authorities Warn of Surging Fraud Schemes

Investigators share tips to help residents avoid becoming victims of scams targeting seniors and others

Apr. 3, 2026 at 12:10am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a cracked smartphone screen reflecting a red warning light, conveying the serious and urgent nature of fraud prevention.As fraud schemes proliferate, Wright County authorities urge residents to be on high alert for suspicious calls, texts, and payment demands.Delano Today

Wright County Sheriff's officials say they are seeing a surge in fraud complaints, with scams like the jury duty and grandparent schemes on the rise. Authorities are urging residents, especially seniors, to be on the lookout for red flags like urgency, secrecy, and unusual payment methods, and to report any suspected fraud immediately to help law enforcement track these crimes.

Why it matters

Fraud schemes can have devastating financial and emotional impacts on victims, particularly vulnerable populations like the elderly. By raising awareness and providing prevention tips, the Wright County Sheriff's Office aims to empower residents to protect themselves and their loved ones from becoming the next targets of these increasingly prevalent scams.

The details

Detective Bill Kenyon and Sgt. Drew Scherber of the Wright County Sheriff's Office recently held a seminar to educate the public on common fraud tactics, including the jury duty scam where victims are told they missed federal jury duty and must pay bail to avoid arrest, as well as grandparent scams where callers impersonate a grandchild in need of emergency money. Authorities also warned of text messages claiming unpaid citations or tolls that demand payment to the DMV. Kenyon and Scherber stressed that law enforcement will never call residents about warrants or money owed, and that any communication claiming secrecy or unusual payment methods is a clear red flag of fraud.

  • The seminar was held on March 19, 2026.
  • Scams like the jury duty and grandparent schemes have been on the rise in Wright County recently.

The players

Bill Kenyon

Detective with the Wright County Sheriff's Office.

Drew Scherber

Sergeant with the Wright County Sheriff's Office.

Minnesota Department of Commerce

Co-presenter of the fraud prevention seminar.

CorTrust Bank

Co-presenter of the fraud prevention seminar.

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What they’re saying

“That's always a scam. The federal government isn't going to call you about missing federal jury duty and then tell you you have to pay bail.”

— Bill Kenyon, Detective

“We wouldn't get a text message about that. We'd get a letter of communication from the Department of Motor Vehicles.”

— Drew Scherber, Sergeant

“If that's in any communication, that's a big red flag that it's a fraud. The government, law enforcement, no one's going to say you can't talk about this letter that you received to anyone else.”

— Bill Kenyon, Detective

“If you've never met the person, you're not dating the person.”

— Drew Scherber, Sergeant

“Talk to one of your kids or someone else that you trust, a friend.”

— Drew Scherber, Sergeant

What’s next

The Wright County Sheriff's Office urges residents to report any suspected fraud attempts or incidents immediately, as the sooner law enforcement is notified, the better the chances of investigating and potentially recovering lost funds.

The takeaway

This surge in fraud schemes targeting seniors and other vulnerable populations in Wright County highlights the importance of community education and awareness to help prevent residents from falling victim to these costly and emotionally damaging scams. By working together to spot the red flags and report suspicious activity, local authorities and residents can work to combat this growing problem.