Bristol Police Warn of 'Family Emergency' Phone Scam

The Bristol Police Department issued a reminder to residents on Wednesday morning about potential phone scams, after a Bristol woman said she received a phone call claiming her son had been kidnapped.

Deputy Chief Steven Contente explained in a press released that a man called the Bristol woman on Apr. 30 and said her son had been involved in an accident with the man's brother.

According to Contente, the caller also told the woman that his brother had "kidnapped her son and was holding him with a gun," and threatened to kill her son if she did not send money through Western Union.

The woman called police, who located her son "safe in Bristol," Contente added. "No money was transferred."

Contente also reminded residents of ways to avoid "Family Emergency" phone scams, including:

• Resist the urge to act immediately.
• Never transfer money by wire or overnight courier.
• Call local police.
• Ask the caller questions about the family member's identity that strangers would not know.
• Check with friends and family about the family member's whereabouts.
• Call the family member's home or cell phone.