In an age where new technologies allow scammers to capture and reproduce personal traits of those closest to you, being knowledgeable about the revolving door of fraud trends has never been more important.
Recently, local police departments and the FBI have commented on a scam that feeds off the fear of families, both locally and nationwide: the “kidnapping” of a loved one. In August, a Pasco woman fell victim to such a scheme when she received a phone call from an unknown number claiming they had her daughter, and to get her back, she would need to pay a ransom of over $5,000.
This amount is common with this type of scam. The perpetrators will often ask for a small sum initially, ensuring that the victim is not deterred by the amount; they will then say the funds are insufficient for their request and demand more. The extortionists will try to keep you on the phone for as long as you allow, presenting immediate harm to your loved one should you consider hanging up or contacting the authorities.
You should always try to reach the individual they have claimed to kidnap, by any means possible, and never hesitate to reach out to emergency responders so that they can also facilitate a line of communication with your loved one before sending any funds.
Your financial security is of the utmost importance. Visit our Security and Fraud Prevention page to find out more, including more blogs on local fraud trends and links the American Bankers Association’s Banks Never Ask That campaign and the AARP Scams and Fraud Page.
The advice in this post was provided by local police departments in the surrounding areas, as well as the FBI. For more information on how to better protect yourselves, friends, and family, please utilize the following resources below provided by the National Institutions of Health.
Kylee Tretteen, Deposit Operations Specialist
