Highline Public Schools warns of AI-generated kidnapping scam targeting families

Two members of the Highline Public Schools community have recently fallen victim to a sophisticated kidnapping scam, prompting the district to issue an urgent warning to students, families, and staff.

In both reported cases, scammers falsely claimed to have kidnapped a family member, using artificial intelligence (AI)-generated audio to impersonate the voices of the alleged victims and demand ransom.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has noted a nationwide rise in these types of scams, particularly targeting families who speak a language other than English. Scammers typically use phone numbers from unfamiliar area codes and attempt to keep victims on the phone to prevent them from contacting their loved ones or authorities.

“We are sharing information to help our families and staff stay vigilant and safe,” the district said in a statement. “If you receive a call, stay calm and think critically.”

To help the community stay safe, the district shared several recommendations:

1. Request to Speak to the Alleged Victim: Ask the caller to let you speak directly with your loved one.
2. Use a Family Safe Word: Establish a safe word with your family that only you know, making it harder for scammers to succeed.
3. Ask Personal Questions: Request the caller to answer questions only the supposed victim would know.
4. Try Other Communication Methods: Use different ways to reach out to the alleged victim to confirm their safety.
5. Report to Authorities: Inform law enforcement about the incident immediately.
6. Do Not Pay the Ransom: Do not pay the ransom, whether it be through gift cards, cash or wire transfer.