This one is spreading fast. And it's targeting parents.

Here's how it works: You get a phone call from someone who says they're with "AMBER Alert." They explain that they're building a database to help find missing children. They ask for your child's name, date of birth, address, Social Security number, and a photo. Some callers even try to schedule an "AMBER kit appointment" at your home.

It sounds official. It sounds protective. But it's a scam.

Sheriff's offices in Florida and New York issued warnings about this in the past week. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement put out a public alert. The calls are hitting families across multiple states.

Here's the truth: No legitimate program pre-registers children for AMBER Alerts. Law enforcement will never cold-call you asking for your child's personal information. AMBER Alerts are only issued after a child goes missing and police confirm the situation meets specific criteria.

If you get one of these calls:

Hang up immediately. Don't give any information. Report the call to your local police department.

And please share this with other parents. Scammers are counting on people not knowing how AMBER Alerts actually work.

This is a scam that's been exploding overseas. And fraud experts say it's starting to appear in the United States.

Here's how it works: You get a video call on WhatsApp or Skype. The person on the other end is dressed in a police or government uniform. They accuse you of a serious crime, like money laundering or drug trafficking. They show you official-looking documents, maybe even a warrant with your name on it.

Then they tell you that you're under "digital arrest." You can't hang up. You can't call anyone. You have to stay on video while they "investigate." Sometimes this goes on for hours. In some cases, days.

Eventually, they demand money to make the charges go away. Wire transfers. Cryptocurrency. Gift cards.

One businessman in India lost $833,000 after being held on Skype for two days by scammers posing as federal investigators. A retired doctor died of a heart attack after enduring 70 hours of this psychological torture.

The rule: There is no such thing as a "digital arrest." Police do not arrest people over video calls. Government agencies do not demand payment to drop criminal charges. If someone on a video call is threatening you with arrest, close the app immediately.

This scam works because it creates fear and isolation. The victim is too scared to hang up or tell anyone. That's exactly what the scammers want.

This week (March 1-7) is National Consumer Protection Week. Thursday, March 5 is "Slam the Scam Day."

If you've been meaning to have a conversation with your parents, grandparents, or kids about scams, this is the week to do it.

Some places to start:

The FTC has a free tool called "How I'll Avoid a Scam: My Action Plan" at ftc.gov/ncpw. It walks you through the warning signs of fraud and helps you make a plan before you're in the middle of one.

The Social Security Administration has resources at ssa.gov/scam. They explain exactly how scammers impersonate SSA, what real SSA communication looks like, and how to report fraud.

One conversation can make a difference. Ask the people you care about: "Has anyone called you lately claiming to be from the government? Has anyone asked you for gift cards or cryptocurrency?" You might be surprised what you learn.

With Slam the Scam Day coming up Thursday, this is a good time to remind everyone: Social Security is the most impersonated federal agency in America.

Scammers send emails, texts, and even physical letters that look like they're from SSA. They threaten to suspend your Social Security number. They claim there's a problem with your benefits. They promise to increase your payments if you "verify" your information.

What SSA will never do:

Threaten you with arrest if you don't pay immediately. Demand payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. Ask you to move money to a "safe" account. Contact you through social media to discuss your benefits. Send you documents by email asking for personal information.

If you're unsure whether a message is real, don't click any links. Call SSA directly at 1-800-772-1213. That's the only number you should trust.