New Amber Alert Scam Targeting Unsuspecting Parents and Citizens

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. - Jan. 7, 2025 - PRLog -- Scammers are exploiting the Amber Alert system to target unsuspecting parents and citizens, preying on their genuine concern for missing and abducted children. Initially identified by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) on Jan. 6, 2025, this scam is expected to spread quickly across multiple states.

Criminals carrying out the scam claim to be "Amber Alert representatives," seeking personal and confidential information with false promises of "registering" children in a supposed database for faster assistance if a child goes missing or is abducted. In some instances, scammers have even offered to conduct in-home visits with parents or community members as part of the ruse.

This is not how the Amber Alert system operates. There is no "registration" or "enrollment" process for children before an incident occurs, nor does any "database" of this kind exist. Furthermore, there are no Amber Alert "representatives" who proactively contact members of the public. In virtually all regions, the state police is responsible for preparing and transmitting legitimate Amber Alerts only after a qualifying incident has been reported to local law enforcement.

No legitimate police or government agency — including state police officials — will contact parents or citizens to register or enroll anyone in an Amber Alert system. Scammers may claim to be from state police agencies, local sheriff's offices, or federal entities; and may spoof phone numbers, caller IDs, or email addresses to appear legitimate.

Victims are asked for personal details (names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, etc.) on the pretext of adding children and parents to a nonexistent "Amber Alert" or "missing children" database. Scammers may also request donations or claim that a processing fee is needed. Importantly, there is no cost or fee when an official Amber Alert is authorized and issued.

Parents and citizens are advised to stay vigilant when responding to calls or messages from unexpected or unknown numbers. Any call or message about "registering" children in an "Amber Alert" or "missing children" database is a scam.

More information regarding this scam is available by visiting https://tsera.org/news/2025-amber-alert-scam/.

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If you would like more information about this topic please contact TSERA Special Police by phone at (302) 426-2111 or by email at admin@tsera.org.