Californians Warned to Be on Alert for ‘Amber Alert’ Scam

The California Highway Patrol took to social media to warn state residents about a new scam in circulation.

Telephone scammers posing as Amber Alert “representatives” offer to meet at homes and collect personal information to “register” children, a procedure that is not actually practiced.

“This is NOT how the AMBER Alert system works!” the message read.

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The Amber Alert, part of a package of child safety laws signed by Congress in 2003, is named after 9-year-old Amber Hagerman of Arlington, Texas, who was kidnapped and murdered in 1996.

The National Alert System was created to quickly inform the public of child abductions.

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The CHP reiterated in its message that it is the only agency authorized to activate Amber Alerts for the state.

The agency also advised the public to never provide personal information or answer calls from “potentially fraudulent” numbers, and to notify law enforcement immediately if contacted by a scammer.