Hello All:
Just this past weekend, I nearly fell victim to one of those family emergency scam phone calls. Let me tell you, first hand, that the experience is very traumatic and leaves you sorting through emotional aftermath. This is because before figuring out I was being deceived, I truly believed that something horrible had happened to one of my loved ones.
Fortunately, I figured out after a couple of minutes that the call was a scam. Interestingly, the only reason why I figured this out was because I had previously read a few news articles that reported this sort of thing. But I made a few mistakes, and I want to share with you, the reader, how to recognize and handle this sort of situation. The more people who are aware of this sort of thing, recognize and take control of the situation, the less successful the dirt bags who do these scams will be. And let me tell you, it takes a very special person to deceive another person and make them believe that their loved ones are in danger just to take advantage of them.
So what happened to me?
Well, on a seemingly ordinary Saturday while returning a shopping cart in a grocery store parking lot, I received a phone call that turned my day upside down. The number, with an unfamiliar 708 area code, piqued my curiosity—perhaps it was a family member or a business contact from back home in Illinois. What followed was a chilling experience that revealed the tactics of a sophisticated phone scam and taught me valuable lessons I want to share to help others stay safe.
The call began with silence, followed by the sound of a young woman sobbing uncontrollably. My heart raced as she mentioned being in an accident, triggering immediate fears for my daughter, who was out running errands that morning. My imagination filled in the gaps, conjuring images of a tragic crash. Moments later, a man claiming to be a police officer took over the call. His unprofessional tone and vague statements raised suspicions, but not before I’d confirmed having a daughter—a mistake I’d soon regret. When he demanded her name “for safety measures,” I hung up, sensing a scam.
Shaken, I frantically texted my family group chat and checked a location-sharing app, only to be misled by overlapping location markers. The scammer kept calling, urging me not to hang up, until I challenged him to provide my daughter’s name. His nefarious laugh before I ended the call left me rattled. Thankfully, my daughter was safe at home, but the experience left me traumatized, grappling with fear and anger for the rest of the day.
This wasn’t just a prank—it was a calculated attempt to exploit my emotions. Scammers use tactics like these to manipulate victims into revealing personal information or complying with demands, often for financial gain. Reflecting on this ordeal, I’ve distilled key lessons to help you recognize and avoid similar scams.
- Emotional Manipulation: Scammers create a sense of urgency and fear, often mentioning accidents or emergencies involving a loved one.
- Impersonation: They pretend to be someone official, such as police officers or hospital staff.
- Pressure Tactics: They urge you not to hang up or to provide sensitive information immediately.
- Information Fishing: They seek personal details like names, addresses, or financial info to exploit or steal from the victim.
Lessons Learned: How to Spot and Avoid Family Emergency Scams
1. Trust Your Instincts About the Voice and Number
If the voice doesn’t sound like your loved one or the call comes from an unfamiliar number, proceed with caution. In my case, the sobbing woman didn’t sound like my daughter, initially, but fear clouded my judgment and soon caused me to believe it was her.
Here's something to remember. Today, most people don’t memorize phone numbers like we did back in the 80s and 90s., If a police officer gives your loved one a phone and says to call you, he or she will most likely be unable to know your number. So if it's an unfamiliar number with your supposed loved one reporting a tragedy, be it's okay to be suspicious.
2. Listen for Background Noise
A genuine emergency call from an accident scene would likely include sounds of sirens, ambulances, or commotion. My call was eerily silent, a red flag that the scenario was staged.
3. Avoid Saying “Yes” or Sharing Information
Scammers may record your voice saying “yes” to use in future fraud or press for details like your loved one’s name. Instead of answering directly, ask questions like, “What happened?” or “Who is this?” In my case, confirming I had a daughter gave the scammer leverage to continue the ruse. I should have simply responded with, "Well, she called me so it must be the right number.... Won't you tell me what happened?
4. Demand Specific Details
A legitimate police officer will provide clear information, such as the location of the accident or the hospital where your loved one is being treated. If the caller is evasive or insists on your compliance without details, seems more interested in establishing authority over you, it’s likely a scam. Challenge them to provide specifics, and don’t hesitate to hang up if they can’t.
And here's a bonus: There is no law that requires you to stay on the phone with someone claiming to be a police officer or even with 911 unless you are actively reporting an emergency. So feel free to hang up. Don't believe them if they say you will be in trouble.
5. Call, Don’t Text, to Verify Safety
After suspecting I was victim of an emergency family scam, my instinct was to text my daughter, but a phone call would have been faster and more reliable. CALL, DO NOT TEXT! LEAVE VOICE MAILS TO DESCRIBE WHAT HAPPENED. If you can’t reach your loved one, call other family members or friends who might know their whereabouts. Leave voicemails to ensure they’re alerted to the situation. Eventually everyone will be calling your loved one and they will figure out something is going on. In theory, everything will soon be resolved.
6. Stay Safe in Public
During the call, I stepped out of my car, unaware of a suspicious vehicle nearby with a man sitting inside, windows up, in the Arizona heat. I only remembered this 3 miles down the road and wanted so bad to turn around and confront this person. But I had perishable groceries and needed to get home. This could have been part of the scam, possibly using an SS7 hack to target nearby phones. Such hacks, while complex, allow criminals to intercept calls or texts. Never leave your vehicle or linger in public during a suspicious call. If you sense something’s wrong, move to a safer location where you can observe your surroundings. It could have been a tactic to catch me off guard with overwhelming emotions; steal my car, mug me or even abduct me to take me to an ATM.
7. Recognize the Emotional Manipulation
Scammers prey on your love for family, using fear to cloud your judgment. The sobbing voice and fake officer were designed to keep me engaged and compliant. Recognizing this tactic can help you stay calm and think critically.
A Changed Perspective on Safety
This experience was a stark reminder of how evil can masquerade as urgency. Scammers exploit our instinct to protect loved ones, turning compassion into a weapon. In a world where even helping a stranger feels risky—whether it’s a stalled car or a panhandler’s plea—we must stay vigilant. These scams aren’t just about money; they’re about stealing peace of mind.
If you receive a suspicious call claiming a loved one is in danger, hang up immediately and verify their safety through direct contact. Report the incident to your local police or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. By sharing these lessons, I hope to arm you with the tools to protect yourself and your family from the trauma of phone scams. Stay alert, trust your instincts, and keep your loved ones close—safely.
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