Hot Springs - Airdate: June 29th, 2009

Your money or your life.

Such a frightening phrase might be used by an armed robber, but few imagine such a threat coming from your telephone.

One Hot Springs couple did have such a demand put to them last week.  Here's Seven-On-Your-Side's Jason Pederson.

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After having the same phone number for seventeen years, this man who wishes to be known only as Mel says it is time for a change.  

Here is why:

(Recorded phone conversation) "Do you want to die today sir?"

(Mel) "Well if I have to I have to."

"Well it is going to be $15 thousand dollars to kill you both.  And I tell you if I get $20 thousand dollars from you I will turn down the $15 thousand dollar amount just to save your life."

Mel says his wife hasn’t been able to sleep in their home since the call.

(Mel) “It just kind of got under our skin.  Plus when you get older like we are you're rattled easier. And for whatever reason it just rattled us.”

The Hot Springs police department is looking into this scam, but since the call originated in Jamaica and there was no money lost there isn't much the department can do but warn others.

(Corporal McCrary Means/Hot Springs Police Dept.) “AT&T knows about this scam.  So like I said we would inform people not to engage them…not to even hold a conversation with them. If they can just hang up on them.”

(Mel) “She wanted to make sure that other people are aware that this is a scam going on and that she doesn't want them to be as anxious and scared and fearful as she was.”

In addition to changing phone numbers this scam has caused Mel to add Caller ID and Call Trace plus spend a few nights away from home…and they will be charged for the call. Plus their peace of mind was affected.

It's not $20,000...but a price was paid.

Mel says he and his wife have taken two cruises within the past year to Jamaica and he guesses that his phone number was acquired by scam artists there who purchased personal information about the cruise ship guests. 

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