Greg's Corner

Fake AMBER Alert Kits Are a Scam

By Greg Collier

Authorities in Orlando, Florida, are warning residents about a troubling scam that falsely claims to be associated with the AMBER Alert program. Scammers have been contacting families both by phone and in person, claiming that parents must register their children for an AMBER Alert kit. In reality, no such registration or payment is required for a child to be eligible for an AMBER Alert.

The genuine AMBER Alert system is a public safety tool activated only when law enforcement confirms that a child has been abducted and specific criteria are met. Once issued, alerts are distributed through a wide-reaching network that includes radio, television, highway signs, mobile phones, and digital platforms. The system is designed to mobilize communities quickly, not to require any kind of pre-registration or participation in a kit program.

Scammers are preying on parental fears and using this false narrative to gain trust. In some cases, they have been reported as highly persistent and even appear to possess personal information about the families they target. These tactics are not only designed to extract sensitive data but may also be used to gain physical access to people’s homes under false pretenses.

The underlying goal of these scams is not just theft of personal data for immediate use. Scammers are particularly interested in obtaining children’s personal information because it can be used to open new lines of credit. Since children are unlikely to check their credit reports, fraudulent accounts may remain undetected for years, sometimes only discovered once the child becomes an adult and applies for credit for the first time.

Residents are urged to stay cautious and not to share any personal information with individuals claiming to offer or sell AMBER Alert kits. Anyone approached in this way should contact local law enforcement to report the incident. Public awareness is one of the most effective tools in shutting down these deceptive and invasive schemes.