Join Us on 6/26 @6:30PM EDT

Thank you, everyone, for being so understanding about rescheduling the Cyber Task Force. We're now all set for the last Monday of the month, 6/26 at 6:30 pm EDT, and we can't wait to see you all there!

As we navigate the challenges of the digital age, it's more important than ever to ensure our children are safe online. Setting up parental controls on their devices can help us do just that.

CheckTheCellphone.com

Imagine receiving a call with a baby screaming in the background...

Especially, if you have young children.

It can be very frightening and it happened to Adriana. The Virtual Kidnapping Ransom Scam begins with a phone call saying your family member is being held captive. One common technique used in these scams is to have background screams or sounds of distress, which are intentionally played during the phone call to invoke a heightened emotional response. These sounds are meant to make the victim believe that their loved one is in immediate danger and increase the pressure on them to comply with the scammer's demands.

It's important to be aware of these types of scams and to stay calm if you ever receive such a call. Taking a few precautionary steps can help you determine the legitimacy of the situation and protect yourself and your family:

Incoming calls may come from area codes (787), (939), and (856).

1. Stay calm: Feeling panicked is natural. Try to remain calm and composed. Take deep breaths and remind yourself that scammers often capitalize on creating fear to exploit their victims. However, you are not alone in this, and there are steps you can take to protect yourself.

2. Verify the situation: Ask to speak directly with your family member who is allegedly being held captive. If the caller refuses or provides excuses, it's a strong indication that it may be a scam. Reach out to your loved one through a separate communication channel, such as a different phone number or social media, to confirm their safety.

3. Avoid sharing personal information: Scammers may try to gather personal information about you or your family member to make their threats seem more legitimate. Avoid providing any personal details or financial information over the phone.

4. Contact the authorities: If you suspect that you're a victim of a virtual kidnapping scam, immediately contact your local law enforcement and provide them with all the relevant details. They can guide you on how to proceed and may be able to trace the call or assist in investigating the matter.

Remember, scammers rely on instilling fear and urgency to manipulate their victims. By staying calm, verifying the situation, and seeking help from the appropriate authorities, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from falling victim to these scams.

You can read more about this scam, by using this link: https://ors.od.nih.gov/News/Pages/Beware-of-Virtual-Kidnapping-Ransom-Scam.aspx?

Did you miss our recent presentation on "Location Tracking Apps for Child Safety"?

Don't worry, you can still catch up by watching the replay video! Learn about the potential risks and best practices for using location tracking apps to keep your child safe. We also reviewed some of the most popular options on the market. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn about the latest technology for child safety. Watch the replay video now!