CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. — West Shore School District officials are warning parents and community members of a kidnapping phone scam.
According to a letter addressed to West Short students, families and staff, a family within the district received a phone call from a number similar to the school district's.
"The call began with what sounded like their child on the phone. Then, an adult spoke and claimed the child had been kidnapped from school property," said Superintendent Todd B. Stoltz.
The caller reportedly took advantage of easily found details about the school campus and used a child's voice crying in the background to make the claims more realistic.
"While one parent was on the phone with the scammer, the other parent called the school," Stoltz's letter to community members continued. "School staff were able to confirm the student was not in danger and arranged for the parent to speak with the child."
"We are grateful that when faced with a very stressful situation, the parent was able to remain calm and contacted school staff and law enforcement for assistance."
School resource officer Michael Lightner with the Lower Allen Township Police Department outlined what people should do if they receive a similar phone call, email or text.
Do Not Respond: Hang up the call immediately. Do not engage with the scammer or provide any personal information.
Verify Your Child's Whereabouts: Contact your son or daughter directly or reach out to the school to confirm their location and safety. As a reminder, if your student is absent, the school will notify you through our automated message system.
Report the Incident: If you cannot confirm your child's whereabouts, or if you suspect foul play, please call 911 immediately to report the incident to the police. Time is of the essence in such situations, and it's crucial to involve law enforcement as soon as possible.
Check your social media account privacy settings to limit what personal information is shared online: The more information a scammer can gather, the more likely it is they can convince their victim the scam is real.
School officials have no reason to suspect West Shore families are being targeted or that more scam phone calls will occur.
