During the last week, I have received reports of the Kidnap / Ransom Scam affecting several people in the Thousand Oaks area. Like all scams, the scammer preys on your fears and emotions in order to separate you from your money.
How it works
You receive a phone call, generally from outside the area code, from someone who claims to have kidnapped someone in your family. The scammer will demand a ransom be paid or the family member will be injured or killed. The scammer will go to the extent of having someone scream in the background to make the kidnapping more believable.
The scammer requests the ransom be paid by purchasing a re-loadable gift card or through wire transfer services like Western Union or Money Gram. The scammer will go through great lengths to keep you on the phone while you purchase the re-loadable card or make the wire transfer and will make threats if you attempt to hang up the phone.
The Thousand Oaks Police Department offers the following tips:
• If you do not recognize the phone number displaying on your caller ID do not answer the phone. If someone wants to talk to you, they will leave a message.
• Be careful what you post on social media websites like Facebook. People tend to post more than they should, leaving you vulnerable.
• If you receive a call from a scammer stating they kidnapped a family member, hang up immediately and call the family member.
• If you are unable to get a hold of the family member call the police
• Do not send money or purchase re-loadable cards at the scammers request or read the numbers off of the back of the re-loadable cards
We can’t stop these scam crimes alone and need your assistance to help educate. Remember, SCAMS stop with YOU.
To file a complaint visit the Federal Trade Commission at: FTC.gov
you can also file a complaint online with the FBI at IC3.gov
If you come across a fraud scam please let us know about it by calling The Thousand Oaks Police Fraud Hotline at (805) 371-8327.
If you are a victim of fraud and have suffered a monetary loss, please call our patrol dispatch center at (805) 654-9511 to and a deputy will respond and take a report.
