Scammers In Amarillo Using Missing Children To Target The Vulnerable

New scams are popping up constantly in Amarillo, Texas. It seems like every other day we're seeing more elaborate attempts by these creeps to separate us from the money we worked hard to get. We've seen all kinds of scams recently, but nothing compares to this. Now, these scammers are using fake missing children as part of their schemes.

Missing Children Scams In Amarillo, Texas

In a post on social media, the Amarillo Police Department decided to address the issue of these scam "missing children" posts online. The post describes what to look out for, and what to do if you come across one of these scam posts.

The posts all follow the same formula. There's a story that lacks any real specific information but is sensational enough to tug at your emotions. There will be a couple of photos included with the post and a call for everyone to share the post. Oddly enough, there isn't any mention of contacting law enforcement.

There will be a mention of Amarillo somewhere in the post, which can make it seem legit if you're just scrolling through and not really thinking about what you're seeing. Don't be fooled.

What To Watch Out For

According to the alert put out by APD, these posts all include the same red flags:

• No specific information. Everything is vague and generic.
• Comments are turned off for the post.
• No mention of Amarillo Police or Sheriff's Departments

The vague information is a big red flag, but the comments being turned off is even bigger. You would think that if you were to post that a child is missing on social media, you'd want the comments open in case someone wanted to share some info. Law enforcement being left out of the post is also very suspicious. Usually, people will include which law enforcement agency to reach out to in their posts.

What To Do If You Come Across A Suspicious Looking Post

APD recommends checking their social media pages for information that confirms what you're seeing. If there is a missing child, APD will post about it. They also encourage you to not share the original post. If you're wanting to help get the word out, share the verified information you can get from APD.

It's disgusting that these are the lengths that scammers are willing to go to in order to get our information and money. It's one thing to call me up in the middle of the day to get me to pay off a warrant with a Target gift card, it's another entirely to prey on the emotions of good people by making up a story about a missing child. It's appalling.

It's a shame, but we all need to pay close attention to what we're seeing online. Scammers are everywhere, and they're stopping at nothing to get what they want. Stay aware, and don't get fooled.