'Kidnapping' Phone Scams Increasing in the Mid-Hudson Valley

Poughkeepsie, NY — A phone scam has been on the increase in Dutchess County and the Sheriff’s Office wants people to be aware of it.

The kidnapping scam is the latest version making the rounds, according to Captain John Watterson, in which criminals call people and tell them a loved one has been kidnapped and that to get them back money must be sent or brought to a designated location.

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In one instance, he said, a local couple was targeted, and the perpetrators contacted them separately telling both of them that their spouse had been kidnapped.

At one point, one of the spouses asked to speak to the other and the perpetrators were able to link their phones through technology, leading both spouses to believe the other one had been kidnapped.

Watterson said it was rare that a phone scam is as elaborate as this example, but people should know that they appear to be getting more sophisticated in their desire to get money and avoid detection.

The Sheriff’s Office offered the following tips to avoid these types of scams:

• Don’t panic. This may be hard to do, but it is very important. Thieves know that people are more likely to make poor decisions when under stress or upset, and they will use this to their advantage. Try and stay as calm as possible.
• Contact law enforcement as soon as possible, especially if you’ve been contacted about a kidnapping.
• Do not make deals with the perpetrators unless you are doing so under the guidance of law enforcement.
• Never meet up with someone that you don’t know; if you’re asked to do, this it is surely a scam, and it is very dangerous as well.
• If you’re called by someone you don’t know asking for money, for any reason, that’s a signal that it’s most likely a scam.
• If someone calls you and tells you that your relative has been hurt, is in jail or has been kidnapped, confirm it first before sending any money.
• Sending money overseas is especially risky; use extreme caution.

It is very important to not send any money to anyone that you don’t know until you’ve confirmed the situation and feel comfortable with it. If it’s a scam once the money is sent it’s very difficult, and most times impossible, to get it back.

If anyone thinks they may have been a victim of this type of scam, or if they receive these types of calls in the future, they are encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 845-486-3800 or via the tipline at 845-605-CLUE (2583) or dcsotips@gmail.com.