Are Texts Saying ‘A Friend Has Complimented You in IRL’ Linked to Sex Trafficking?
28 August 2018 - Not every unsolicited communication is an attempt to target victims for sex trafficking rings.
Tagged "crime warnings"
The Killer in the Backseat
26 September 2000 - A crazed killer is discovered hiding in the back seat of woman's car at a gas station.
Robbers Using Rubber Bands to Break Into Houses?
25 April 2016 - A viral Facebook post warned that robbers were using rubber bands on door latches to break into homes, but its validity was questionable.
Burundanga/Scopolamine Warning
11 May 2008 - Criminals in the U.S. are not using burundanga-soaked business cards to incapacitate their victims, despite a recurrent warning.
Should You Call #77 or 112 to Contact the Police in an Emergency?
17 March 2002 - Those numbers work sometimes, but calling #77 or 112 on your cell phone will not necessarily connect you to emergency services no matter where you are.
Drano Bottle Bombs
27 April 2010 - A viral alert warns about neighborhood residents finding unexploded 'bottle bombs' in their yards.
Colored Stickers Target Homes of Dog Owners?
12 March 2013 - Rumors that criminals are marking homes with colored stickers or bags in trees in order to steal dogs for use in dogfighting events are unfounded.
Are Robbers Subduing Victims with Perfume?
1 March 2000 - Long-standing crime warning holds that thieves are trolling parking lots and rendering their victims unconscious with perfume samples.
Will Entering Your PIN in Reverse at an ATM Summon the Police?
7 October 2006 - Entering your PIN in reverse at any ATM will not automatically send an alarm to local police. The idea is nothing more than an unimplemented concept.
‘Can You Hear Me?’ Scam Warning
27 January 2017 - Dozens of news outlets reported on a purported scam wherein fraudsters supposedly falsify charges by randomly calling people and asking 'Can you hear me?'
Are Rapists Using Lost Children to Lure Victims?
18 April 2005 - Warnings that rapists are employing children pretending to be lost in order to lure victims to them are unsubstantiated.
Do Thieves Use Trash to Case Homes for Expensive Christmas Presents?
27 December 2016 - Although concealing boxes for big-ticket items is never a bad idea, no evidence suggests that flashy trash increases your risk of being robbed.
