It’s been a while since I’ve written about some of the more old-school phone scams but after seeing a post on one of the local Rants and Raves groups on Facebook, it looks like it’s time for a refresher.

In this case, I’m talking about the fake “family member in trouble” scam. This one is old but has likely evolved thanks to modern technology like artificial intelligence.

There are a few ways it can go. For example – your daughter has been kidnapped, your nephew is in jail or your grandson just got into a car crash. Someone calls you running the gamut of pretending to be a kidnapper or good samaritan telling you something is wrong with your family member. If it’s the kidnapping one they will demand ransom; if it’s jail time it’s bail; and if it’s a car accident then money for the hospital.

And like any good kidnapper, jail or hospital, they’ll want you to wire them money through some cash-sending app. You know, totally normal right?

No matter how familiar the voice might be, don’t give in. Always report these calls. They are scams trying to get you to panic and send money immediately. It’s a disgusting way to elicit emotion and cause fear in the target.

Most of the time, these calls will be easy to spot because chances are they’ll be automated. You might try talking to the person on the other end but it seems as though they aren’t listening or responding.

Sometimes they will just be someone pretending to be your family member sending you a prerecorded voice message to eliminate the middle man altogether

Always be sceptical and never send money or personal information.

 - TNS