Kidnap attempt foiled

[Pixilated]

Suspect didn't know code word

A great idea for anybody with children!

[mathnerd]

Good for that little girl for remembering what her parents taught her and staying calm! What's even more impressive is that she kept her head on straight and was able to give the police so much information on the vehicle and people who were in the car.

[PepperElf]

not a bad idea when dealing with strangers.

cos that's what those people do - they do 'social engineering' really, to convince people that they are who they claim to be.

[Pixilated]

One expert said the only real problem with this is if the child forgets the code word, or if the potential kidnapper can trick them into saying it ... thus allowing him/her to go "Can you believe I forgot that!" and create a bond where one should definitely not exist.

But I doubt there's any street-smart tactics that are 100% perfect, and this is still a pretty good one.

And yeah, that girl was sharp to remember all those details!

[AnaKhouri]

I just picked up a 'stranger danger' book to read to Khan and that is one of the tips they have in the book- use a code word. It's highly unlikely I would ever send someone he didn't know to pick him up anyway, but just in case.

[DeltaSierra]

Its good for adults too - Hubby and I have a codeword in case something ever happens where one of us is under duress. If he or I were to call the other and use that word, we KNOW something is seriously wrong.

[PepperElf]

if the child forgets the code word, or if the potential kidnapper can trick them into saying i

A possible solution is to tell junior, "No stranger will ever pick you up. Ever. Don't care what they claim. Only WE <or "we and whomever"> will ever pick you up."

Or add in "If you're not sure, go to the school office and call me."