PSA: Beware The Phone Scams, Crown Heights Father Targeted In Abduction Scam
by CrownHeights.info
Beware the phone scams!
Earlier today, a Jewish father from Crown Heights received a phone call from a blocked number. Unknowingly answering the phone, he heard a female child’s voice crying on the other line, pretending to be his daughter.
“An unknown male then came onto the phone line and told the man that if he wanted his daughter back he would have to meet him in a public place and deliver a ransom amount of money,” a message sent by the 71st Precinct to CrownHeights.info said. “The father quickly called 911 and the 71st precinct responded.”
The 71st Precinct patrol unit immediately went to the child’s school, where she was found safe and totally unharmed.
“The child was never abducted, the child was never in any danger, the child was in her school the whole time,” the message explained. “However this frightening experience reminds us all to never send money or pay any ransom over the phone.”
The immediate response in such situations should be to call our loved one in concern and locate them. If you are unable to locate them immediately, then 911 should be called.
These phone scams are becoming more and more convincing, and this one should serve as a reminder to never pay anyone over the phone with gift cards or credit cards, or any other means.
Beware
Sometimes they may have information of a relative and say your son/brother etc with date of birth x in is trouble and you most immediately pay us (with gift cards or bitcoin).. they may try to keep you from hanging up the phone to prevent you from verifying if it’s true.
Just hang up. Most likely the number used is spoofed, so calling back won’t reach the scammer anyway.