Florida residents are on alert after the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) issued a warning about a new scam involving perpetrators impersonating the AMBER Alert system to phish for personal information connected to their children. According to the FDLE, scammers have been making calls to families, claiming affiliation with AMBER Alert and either requesting details about their children or trying to set up what they refer to as an "AMBER kit appointment" at the victims' homes, but these calls are fraudulent and do not represent true AMBER Alert procedures, CBS12 reported.
FDLE has reiterated there are no legitimate programs that collect children's personal information beforehand or that schedule home visits—AMBER Alerts are only disseminated following the confirmed disappearance of a child under specific circumstances, FDLE officials encourage anyone receiving such a call to immediately hang up without providing any personal information, and subsequently report the occurrence to local law enforcement – a move that can help stem the spread of this deceptive practice and shield the community from potential harm. Furthermore, authorities are proactively urging the public to spread the word amongst family, friends, and neighbors to create a collective vigilance against this scam, as shared by an FDLE post.
🚨 FDLE is warning Floridians about a new AMBER Alert scam circulating across the state.
— FDLE (@fdlepio) February 3, 2026
WHAT’S HAPPENING:
Scammers are calling residents claiming to be “with AMBER Alert” and asking for children’s information or trying to schedule an “AMBER kit appointment.”
WHAT TO DO:
- Do… pic.twitter.com/P2wRXbNQQE
In the face of this scam, the department has offered a straightforward counsel to citizens: if a call appears rushed, raises suspicion, or kindles discomfort, it's prudent to heed those instincts and take time to confirm any dubious claims before disclosing any personal information; this simple rule aims to arm Florida families against the wiles of scammers looking to exploit the trust placed in systems designed to protect our most vulnerable—the children.
