Scam calls are nothing new and neither is the insane length that some scammers will go to in order to get your money. Recently, a Yucca Valley man was sent photographs of a woman tied up and scammers claimed she was his girlfriend. They quickly demanded $2,000, or they would harm her. However, the same pictures that were sent to him could be found online, indicating that this scare tactic is in fact, a scam. Whether you get threatening texts or calls, Cassidy Taylor offers these tips to avoid falling victim to this virtual kidnapping scam…
[WOMAN: Mom! Please!]
[MAN: I have your daughter against her will. If you call the police and you don’t do exactly what I tell you, I will kill her.]
[WOMAN: Mom! Please mom help me! Don’t let them do this.]
Scary, right? Sounds real. But I made that up here in our studios. Virtual kidnapping scams are terrifying. You answer the phone, hear distress and tears, and you are willing to do whatever you need to do in order to save your loved one. So, how do you tell if the call is fake?
The FBI says your best course of action in most cases is to hang up the phone. If you engage the caller, do not say your loved one’s name. Try to slow down and ask to speak to them. Ask the supposed kidnappers, “How do I know they’re okay?” You can try asking questions only the alleged kidnapped victim would know the answer to while also attempting to reach your loved one via call, text, or social media. Whatever you do, never agree to pay a ransom, by wire or in person, as it can be very dangerous.
Finally, scam or not, it is always a good idea to call law enforcement.
