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KEARNEY — Kearney Public Schools wants to alert our families about a disturbing phone scam reported by a parent in our district this week.
Around school dismissal time, a parent received a phone call from an unknown number. In the background, the parent could hear a little girl crying. The caller, a man, identified himself and claimed there had been an accident while students were walking home from school — and that he had the parent’s child with him.
The caller then asked the parent to provide the child’s name — a clear sign this was a scam attempt designed to gather personal information.
Fortunately, this parent was smart and immediately contacted both the police and the school to confirm their child’s safety.
Please be aware, Scammers are becoming increasingly bold and manipulative, often using emotional distress to trick parents into sharing personal details or sending money.
What to Do if You Receive a Call Like This:
- Stay calm – Take a breath before reacting.
- Don’t give out any information – Especially names, addresses, or school details.
- Hang up and verify – Contact the school and your child directly to confirm they are safe.
- Report it – Notify the police and your child’s school immediately.
We understand this is alarming, and we want to ensure our families are aware and prepared. As always, student safety is our top priority, and we appreciate everyone’s vigilance.
