Oxnard—Virtual kidnapping scams are nothing new but are back on the rise. N these instances, a scammer will call and say they have kidnapped someone’s loved one (usually a child) and demand that you wire them money for their release.
While receiving these calls is stressful and frightening, please be aware: THIS IS A SCAM.
Scammers usually have an actor screaming in the background to raise the stakes and urgency. Some criminals now utilize technology to ‘clone’ familiar phone numbers or clone the voice of the supposed kidnapping victim to make the call more convincing.
To avoid becoming an extortion scheme victim, look for the following possible indicators:
Incoming calls come from an outside area code, sometimes from Puerto Rico with area codes (787), (939), and (856). Calls do not come from the alleged kidnapped victim’s phone. Callers go to great lengths to keep you on the phone and prevent you from calling or locating the “kidnapped” victim, and ransom money is only accepted via wire transfer service.
Basic tips to protect yourself include, while staying on the line with the alleged kidnappers, try to call the alleged kidnap victim from another phone.
Be suspicious of ANY unsolicited/unexpected call…
