The Penn Hills Police Department would like to alert residents to a telephone scam that attempts to convince parents that their child has been kidnapped. The scam often targets the parents of college students, asking them to pay a ransom for the safe return of their child. The caller may have the name of the child, and a scream or muffled cry in the background has been reported on some occasions.
If you receive a similar call, authorities recommend parents should try to text, call or reach their child through social media to confirm their safety. Additionally, if possible, ask questions of the caller that only your family member would know the answers to. We urge all residents to contact their local police department by calling 911 if they receive a call of this nature.
