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A terrifying phone scam that preys on families, known as virtual kidnapping, is picking up steam, with the FBI and even local school districts issuing warnings about it.
Steven Weisman, a professor at Bentley University and the editor of scamicide.com, says this scam has been around for over 10 years, but thanks to AI and social media, it's becoming more sophisticated. He explains that criminals use websites to spoof their phone numbers, making it appear as if the call is coming from a loved one.
Once they have you on the phone, they can employ various tactics, including AI voice replication and personal information obtained online or from data breaches, to convince you that they've taken your loved one hostage. The scammers then demand an immediate payment in exchange for your loved one's life.
Weisman advises that the best way to prevent these scams is to be cautious about the information you share online. Additionally, he recommends that every family establish a secret code word to verify the identity of family members in case they receive one of these calls.