GRANT COUNTY, Wash. — The Grant County Sheriff’s Office is warning parents of scam calls saying their child has been kidnapped and demanding a ransom.
The Sheriff’s Office said it received word of this scam recently and the associated kidnapping reports were quickly debunked.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, scammers will try to scare and pressure you into paying the ransom with money gift cards or by wire transfer.
To avoid becoming a victim of this scam, look for these warning signs:
Incoming calls from a fake numberCalls don’t come from the child’s phoneCallers try to keep you on the phone and prevent you from calling or finding the “kidnapped” victimRansom money is only accepted through wire transfer or money gift cards
The Sheriff’s Office said if you receive a call from someone demanding ransom for a kidnapped victim, consider the following advice:
Try to slow the situation downAsk to speak with the victim directlyIf the callers don’t let you speak to the victim, ask them to describe the victimListen to the voice of the victim if they speakTry to call, text or contact the victim on social media. Ask the victim call back from their cell phoneWhile staying on the line with the alleged kidnappers, call the victim from another phoneDon’t directly challenge or argue with the callerAs soon as possible, call your local police department
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