By Jeff Devine | Dale County Chronicle
OZARK—From social media scams targeting children to sophisticated financial fraud schemes aimed at adults, cybercrime continues to evolve — and local law enforcement is urging the community to stay alert. The Dale County Chronicle reached out to Ozark Police Department Investigator Celeste Kemp to talk about how people can stay safe online in an age when scams and predatory behavior is on the rise.
Investigator Celeste Kemp says both kids and adults are increasingly at risk as technology advances and criminals find new ways to exploit that technology.
Kemp said one of the biggest issues officers are seeing is that kids are using social media apps that allow them to talk to complete strangers — often anonymously. “Predators will move those conversations to text messages, use fake numbers, and start collecting personal details from the child,” she said.
Kemp described a recent case involving a local student who unknowingly became a victim of digital extortion. The child shared a simple photo of their face and basic information, such as their school name. Scammers used artificial intelligence to manipulate the image into explicit content, then demanded money to prevent the fake image from being shared publicly.
“They’ll threaten to send it to the child’s school or friends if they don’t pay,” Kemp said. “Some kids panic and actually send money.”
Tragically, in some national cases, this kind of blackmail has led to suicide when the minor feels they have no way out. It is important to talk to your children to let them know they can always come to you with concerns like these. It may save their life.
TIPS FOR PARENTS AND GUARDIANS TO KEEP THEIR CHILDREN SAFE ONLINE
Kemp said the key is to talk openly with children about online safety. “Kids today have grown up with the internet. We have to remind them not to share identifying information and to reach out to a parent, teacher, or counselor if someone online asks for money or makes them uncomfortable,” she said.
She also highlighted the importance of parental involvement — not just installing monitoring apps, but maintaining regular communication. “The best safeguard is staying involved and talking to your kids,” Kemp said. “If parents are open and non-judgmental, kids are much more likely to come to them when something feels wrong.”
Kemp warned that games like Roblox, while offering creative opportunities, have become a common platform where predators attempt to contact children. She encouraged parents to review safety settings, check age settings, and supervise online interactions.
SCAMS TARGETING ADULTS ARE ALSO ON THE RISE
Cyber threats aren’t limited to children. Kemp said adults are being targeted by increasingly convincing scams — including phishing messages, fake bank alerts, and fraudulent payment requests.
“We’re seeing messages that look like they’re from your bank, DoorDash, or even a hospital,” Kemp said. “When people click on those links, scammers can access their financial information or even drain their accounts.”
She advised anyone who receives such a message to avoid clicking links or calling the phone number provided. “Always contact the institution directly using a verified number or go there in person,” Kemp said. “And if possible, don’t keep your bank account connected to your phone. Clicking one wrong link can give scammers remote access to your financial data.”
Kemp added that even traditional scams are resurfacing — including check fraud, where mailed checks are intercepted, altered, and cashed for far higher amounts. “It’s an old-school scam, but it’s back,” she said. “If possible, pay bills in person rather than through the mail. It’s inconvenient, but it’s safer.”
A SIMPLE RULE: IF IT SOUNDS SUSPICIOUS OR TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT PROBABLY IS
Kemp offered a clear message for both kids and adults: trust your instincts. “If anyone asks you to send money through gift cards, that’s always a scam — no exceptions,” she said. “And if someone calls claiming you owe a bill, hang up and call the company yourself using a verified number.”
Despite the growing sophistication of online schemes, Kemp said the best protection remains simple — awareness, communication, and caution. “Technology is powerful, but the old-fashioned ways still work best for keeping yourself safe,” she said. “Don’t talk to strangers online, don’t click suspicious links, and never share personal or financial information unless you’re absolutely sure who you’re talking to.”
The Dale County Chronicle would like to thank Investigator Kemp and the Ozark Police Department for taking the time to speak with us about this important topic.
Here are some additional tips to help you keep your children and yourself safe from online predators and scams:
ADDITIONAL TIPS FOR PROTECTING YOUNGER CHILDREN (FROM THE US DEPT. OF HOMELAND SECURITY:
- Teach them not to click on pop-ups.
- Explain that they should never share passwords, addresses or personal information with people they don’t know online.
- Create a series of steps they should follow if they see inappropriate content, such as looking away and telling a parent or trusted adult.
- Warn them not to trust people they meet online, and tell them they should tell a trusted adult if someone makes them feel nervous, scared or uncomfortable.
- Teach online etiquette and how to be respectful of others, and let them know they should tell someone if they feel disrespected.
- Help them identify a trusted adult or guardian they can go to for help.
FOR TWEENS AND TEENS:
- Talk about how they should never post personal information or inappropriate content.
- Discuss sexting and the permanency of online data.
- Teach them how to avoid online predators by setting up privacy controls on their devices, like restricting apps’ location access.
- Explain the warning signs that characterize online predators.
- Tell them that safe adults won’t ask them to keep secrets or disrespect their boundaries.
- Help them identify a trusted adult or guardian they can go to for help.
- Discuss steps they can take if a friend confides in them about inappropriate online interactions, such as telling a trusted adult or pointing them to Know2Protect resources.
- Explain that minors shouldn’t disseminate sexual abuse material because it’s illegal.
- Explain that even if they’ve already shared sexual abuse material or been involved in inappropriate online interactions, it’s not too late to tell an adult and get help.
- Discuss cyberbullying.
Top 10 Tips2Protect
- Start an open, two-way conversation with your child.
- Password-protect or control access to your child’s app store and gaming downloads.
- Set time and area limits for use of devices and set device check-in times.
- Set all apps, games and devices to private.
- Turn off location data services on social media and nonessential apps.
- Talk about data permanency. Online data can last a lifetime.
- Create a contract with your child regarding online behavior.
- Know your child’s friend lists. Remove strangers.
- Warn your child that they should never leave a game to chat with someone they don’t know on a different platform.
- Do not delete messages, images or videos from predators and do not forward any sexually explicit images or videos. Save usernames, screenshots and images or videos as evidence for law enforcement to collect directly from the device.
