Greg's Corner

Protecting Your Family from AMBER Alert Scams

By Greg Collier

Scammers continue to develop deceptive strategies to exploit public trust, and one of their latest schemes targets families by posing as representatives of the AMBER Alert system. These fraudsters falsely claim they can ‘register’ children for AMBER Alerts, requesting confidential information and sometimes even offering to meet at a person’s home. Authorities are warning the public to stay vigilant, emphasizing that this is not how the legitimate AMBER Alert system operates.

The AMBER Alert program exists to provide critical, immediate public awareness when a child is abducted or reported missing. These alerts are activated solely by law enforcement agencies conducting investigations into child abductions or missing children. There is no requirement, or even an option, for individuals to register their children with the system. Any suggestion to the contrary is a red flag for a scam.

The motivation behind these scams is particularly insidious. Scammers often target children’s personal information because it provides a gateway to a clean credit record. A child’s unblemished credit history is a valuable asset for identity thieves, who can exploit it for fraudulent activities that may go undetected for years.

Authorities urge individuals to never provide personal details over the phone or in response to unsolicited communication, especially when the caller claims to represent an official program like AMBER Alerts. These schemes often involve fraudulent calls or messages from numbers labeled as ‘unknown’ or ‘possible scam’, and the best response is to avoid engagement altogether. Instead, report any suspicious activity to your local law enforcement agency immediately.

Scammers rely on trust and urgency to trick people into divulging sensitive information, making it crucial for families to stay informed and cautious. Remember that official alerts are solely managed by law enforcement agencies, which are the only entities authorized to activate an AMBER Alert. There is no third-party involvement in the process, and no personal registration is required.

By understanding how the AMBER Alert system truly works and recognizing the warning signs of scams, families can protect their personal information and contribute to a safer, more informed community.