Attorney General John Kroger is warning parents about scams that involve bogus stories about kids on Spring Break getting into car accidents, plane crashes or going to jail after police break up a wild party.

Con artists call in the middle of the night and tell parents that children on Spring Break have been hospitalized or jailed. Confused and worried parents are told to wire money to a “friend” to pay for medical help or bail.

The scammers can manipulate caller ID to make their scam seem more legitimate.

Parents are told they must immediately find a 24-hour money transfer service. By the time parents realize they have been scammed, the money and the scammers are gone.

Attorney General Kroger says parents should pre-arrange ways to easily communicate with their children while on Spring Break either by cell phone or through trusted adults or friends on the same trip.

Consumers seeking information should contact the Attorney General’s consumer hotline at 1-877-877-9392. Justice is online at www.doj.state.or.us.

Contact:

Tony Green, (503) 378-6002 tony.green@doj.state.or.us |