POUGHKEEPSIE – Police in the City of Poughkeepsie are warning residents of a telephone scam in which a caller claims to be holding a loved one hostage. The scam has been around in recent years and resurfaces occasionally.
Poughkeepsie Police said several incidents have occurred in the city as well as around the country recently.
The scam involves a caller ordering the victim to wire money in exchange for the safe return of their loved one and advises the victim not to call the police.
Police advise if you receive a call from someone demanding ransom money for a kidnapped victim a number of things should be considered:
Try to slow the situation down. Ask to speak directly to the loved on.
If they do not let you speak to the person, ask them to describe the person or vehicle they drive
Listen carefully to the voice of the kidnapped victim if they speak
Attempt to call, text or contact the victim via social media and request the victim to call back from his or her cell phone
While staying on the line with the alleged kidnappers, try to call the alleged kidnap victim from another phone
To buy time, repeat the caller’s request and tell them you are writing down the demand, or tell the caller you need time to get things moving
Do not directly challenge or argue with the caller. Keep your voice low and steady
Request the kidnap victim call back from his or her cell phone
