Could you imagine getting an email or direct message stating that your family member or friend had been arrested and needed money? Immediate shock and willingness to help sets in. You ask how much do you need? They respond saying they need $5,000. However, the real person is in no such situation or trouble. This in fact is a scam that has been growing year over year. Scammers will use social media to do research and will then engage the victim. Often asking for a wire or money transfer so they can “pay bail”. It sounds crazy, right? Except this scam is successfully being used to steal large sums of money. Verification of the situation can alleviate the possibility of being scammed. Calling your loved one to ensure that they are safe, and sound is a great way to defeat these fraudsters. Don’t engage with these threat actors, as tempting as it might be, verify before you reply.
Friends and Family Scams
If you get a message claiming a loved one is in trouble and needs money, always verify their safety directly before taking any action—it's likely a scam.
