A caller says a family member has been arrested or had an accident and needs money now. What do I do?
Hang up and call your family member, or someone close to them, on the number you already have. Real emergencies can wait a few minutes for you to check.
These calls use fear and urgency. The caller may pretend to be a police officer, a doctor or a lawyer and insist that you do not tell anyone.
Asking to keep it secret is a warning sign in itself.
What to do
- Stay calm and do not send money during the call.
- Call the relative on their usual number.
- Call another family member or friend to confirm.
- If you are unsure, go to the police station or hospital named, in person.
Frequently asked questions
- They knew my relative's name. Is it real?
- Names are easy to find on social media. Knowing a name does not prove the story.
Want to know if there are warning signs about the person you're chatting to? Veritaza checks the photos, the messages, the number, the email address, the name and the ID document, for ₦2,500.
Check a person