Craig Stevens

Craig Stevens

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Watch Out For This Kidnapping Scam!

A phone scam is resurfacing in the D.C. area that has parents answering the call hearing what sounds like their child screaming after being kidnapped. But the tactic is just an extortion attempt to get parents to pay up.

This is affecting areas across the country but it is higher in Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland. Parents have been reporting that they are receiving these terrifying phone calls. The school district said there have been a handful of complaints from parents in different schools around the county.


What Should You Do If You Get This Call!

The FBI said it is seeing an increase in these virtual kidnapping calls. Police in Montgomery County are recommending three things when encountering these calls:

- Do not wire money

- Contact your child's school

- Contact police

UPDATE: HERE IS THE EMAIL RECEIVED FROM JULIUS WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I am writing to inform you about an extortion phone scam that is impacting our community.

In the last week, multiple MCPS families have been targeted by what is known as a virtual kidnapping scam. The scam begins with community members receiving a call from an unfamiliar number, often from an international area code. When the call is picked up, community members have reported that they have heard screaming sounds in the background and a message from the caller claiming that they have the person’s child and intend to do the child harm unless ransom is paid. Read more about the scam from WTOP http://wtop.com/local/2016/05/reports-virtual-kidnapping-scams-pop-region/

National and local enforcement are aware of the scam. The Montgomery County Police Department has provided the following advice:

  • Do not wire money.
  • Contact your child’s school.
  • Contact the police via 911 or on the non-emergency number, 301-279-8000.

The FBI has also provided guidance to help community members avoid becoming a victim of this scam. This guidance can be found at https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/us-citizens-threatened-by-mexican-virtual-kidnapping-scheme

Please do not hesitate to contact our school if you receive this call. The safety of our students is a top priority.

Thank you,

Craig W. Staton, Principal



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