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Scammers calling BPS parents to demand ransom for their kidnapped kids, who are actually safe at school
By adamg on Sat, 10/15/2022 - 5:05pm
Boston Police report at least three Boston public-school parents have gotten calls from "kidnappers" demanding ransom for their allegedly abducted children.
The scammers had information about the parent's child, including their name, and demanded the parent send money through Western Union. This type of scam is called a kidnapping scam and is meant to trick a parent or grandparent into thinking that their child is in danger so that they will pay a ransom. In some cases, the scammers can have very detailed information and use that to convince a parent/grandparent that the scam is real.
In recent years, the scam has become relatively common among non-English-speaking residents, but in the past had been focused around people's grandparents or other aged relatives.
Police issued some tips, including:
Be careful posting information publicly on social media and talk with your children about protecting their privacy online. Scammers often look through social media for any information that would give them the ability to persuade you
.
Also, hang up immediately - and don't respond to any suspicious e-mails or texts - then call police. Also:
Do not reply to any urgent messages demanding money, especially if the person is demanding money through Western Union, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.
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Comments
Would be good to know if the
Would be good to know if the kidnappers have obtained the children’s information through BPS or other methods.
Social engineering and sleuthing
This is why I keep identifying details about my life off of public social media platforms.
This, but also...
...there's a certain amount of personal info that's unavoidably out there, so be wary *even if* a caller has accurate information. Some scammers do a bunch of in-depth research on their targets and may know employment history, address history, family names, and so forth.
And anyone who demands that you stay on the phone with them and not call anyone else to corroborate? Absolutely a scammer.
Some of both
I have acquaintances who make all their Facebook posts public and/or will friend people they don't know, and they're constantly posting where their kids go to school, where they spend their time, and all this stuff.
But there are also third parties that don't give a fuck about people's personal information, and have no understanding that some of us try to protect our kids' digital footprint. Most places require a release to use photos, but some say you're releasing your photo and likeness by participating, and others have a photo release but don't require any release to share full name and ages and whatnot. We've found our kids' full names, ages, and programming they participate in on websites and news outlets, including from places where we declined to sign a photo release (but weren't given the option to opt out of the other stuff being shared). There are private schools and community organizations that don't have an option to opt out of this, and say upon registering that you grant permission for your photo and information to be used. The general public doesn't seem well-versed in protecting personal information either; my kids have gotten in trouble for "being difficult" for things like telling reporters randomly showing up at their activities that they can't share their last names or ages.
I'd not advocate for capital
I'd not advocate for capital punishment as much as just offing them in the street.
God bless.
How to tell it's BPS calling
You'll get a robocall on all phones in the household, spaced 2 minutes apart, then a text, then an email. Otherwise it's not BPS!