Social Networking: Spring Break Scam

This isn’t a new scam, but we are about to see a revival as spring break and summer vacations roll around. Thieves troll through popular social networking sites such as Facebook or MySpace for individuals posting their spring break or vacation plans on their profiles. Then, posing as a troubled student or traveler they contact all your friends and family asking for emergency cash. Not just by email, but by phone as well. The reasons vary from bail money to medical emergencies or family deaths.  Recently, this wave of fraud has been felt in Washington and Oregon as reported by King5 News, so the scam has officially made its way from coast to coast.

If your children or grandchildren are going to be taking a trip, form an emergency plan of communication with them. Develop a secret password or question-answer combination that you can double check the information if you get strange calls, emails or letters. Question callers to search out scam artists, even if they sound like your relative over the phone. Don’t ever assume that because they are using a familiar family pet name (Nana, Grammy) that they must be the person they say they are. Use caution, ask questions, and remain vigilant.