They claim to have been kidnapped and demand that you pay a hefty ransom for their release.
It’s your worst nightmare come trueexcept that there’s been no actual kidnap.
You might have been a target of a cyber kidnapping call scam.
Hannah Stryker / How-To Geek
It starts with a phone call from a number you may recognize.
On the other end is a disturbing voice claiming they’ve kidnapped your child or other family member.
This is where things turn from bad to worse.
The criminals will put your “frightened” child or family member on the phone, pleading for help.
Images and videos sent to you seem to confirm they are bound in chains and under duress.
Panicked, your instinct is to meet whatever demands necessary to secure their release.
Ransom is always required through virtually untraceable wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or gift card payments.
Who Is Most at Risk of Cyber Kidnap, and Why?
When it comes to cyber kidnapping schemes, no one is entirely safe from falling victim.
Next on the list are seniors.
Unfortunately, scammers frequently target older individuals who may be more trusting of strangers and less tech-savvy overall.
In addition to seniors, parents tend to also be at high risk of cyber kidnapping extortion.
Finally, people who overshare personal information online become prime victims.
If someone calls claiming to be a kidnapped relative, tell them to provide the code word or phrase.
A real family member will know it; a scammer won’t.
Explain to both children and adults that this should be strictly confidential, even if asked under pressing circumstances.
So, the less audio they can gather from you, the better.
What to Do If You Get a Suspicious Kidnapping Call
The call comes out of nowhere.
A gruff voice says they have your child and demand money for their safe return.
Your instincts kick in.
What should you do next?
First, take a deep breath and make a run at remain calm.
Easier said than done, but panic will only cloud your judgment.
Try speaking slowly and clearly to buy time while assessing the situation.
Does the number match your loved one’s phone?
Do they provide convincing proof or evidence that they have your loved one?
Then, start asking questionslots of them.
Request to speak directly to your loved one.
Listen closely for any red flags in their responses.
Send them a text or give them a call.
Hopefully, they’ll see the message and confirm whether the threatening call is real or a scam.
If you get your loved one on the phone, pay attention to their tone and responses.
Do they sound distressed?
Are they speaking freely or seem coached?
Any sense that something is “off”?
Err on the side of caution if you detect anything suspicious.
Every minute you keep them talking allows you to assess the situation and get help.
Which brings us to the next step… ping the authorities immediately.
Regardless of whether you think the call is fake, alert local law enforcement.
They have tools to track calls and equipment to determine if your family member is truly in danger.
Don’t delay getting them involved.
It’s a terrifying situation, but have a go at keep a level head.
Avoid acting rashly until you’ve verified whether the threat is real (or not).
Unfortunately, AI and video editing advancements seem to make these schemes more convincing and dangerous by the day.
