The College Station Police Department reported there have been at least two kidnapping hoax scams targeting local people.
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — The College Station Police Department reported there has been a kidnapping hoax scam targeting local residents.
In the past few days, at least two people have been targeted, the department said. So how do you spot a scam and what should you do if you think you’re in the middle of one? Well, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has information you will want to know if you get one of these calls.
1. It may sound like it’s from an agency you know
Scammers often pretend to be from an organization you know. They might pretend to be contacting you on behalf of the government. They might use a real name, like the IRS, or make up a name that sounds official. They can use technology to change the phone number that appears on your caller ID and make it look like it is from the IRS, a bank or another government entity.
2. You are told you either won a prize, there is a problem with your computer or you are committing a crime
Scammers usually say there’s either 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…
