COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) – Law enforcement agencies have been aware of virtual kidnapping fraud for at least two decades, but a recent FBI case illustrates how this frightening scam—once limited to Mexico and Southwest border states—has evolved so that U.S. residents anywhere could be potential victims.
College Station Police say these scams target Hispanics and two have been reported in our area in the past few days.
“These calls can sound scary and be incredibly convincing,” said police in a statement on social media.
CLICK HERE to learn more about the scam.
Please take a few minutes to review the FBI’s tips to avoid being victimized.
Here are four signs that a phone call is a scam:
1. Scammers PRETEND to be from an organization you know.
Scammers often pretend to be contacting you on behalf of the government. They might use a real name, like the Social Security Administration, the IRS, or Medicare, or make up a name that sounds official. Some pretend to be from a business you know, like a utility company, a tech company, or even a charity asking for donations.
They use technology to change the phone number that appears on your caller ID. So the name and number you see might not be real.
2. Scammers say there’s a PROBLEM or a PRIZE.
They might say you’re in trouble with the government. Or you owe money. Or someone in your family had an emergency. Or that there’s a virus on your computer.
Some scammers say there’s a problem with one of your accounts and…
