Police and the FBI are telling residents how they can protect themselves from a kidnapping scam that is on the rise in New York City.

They say criminals will call up unsuspecting victims and attempt to get them to transfer anywhere between $500 and $1,900 by saying that a loved one has been kidnapped, has been involved in some type of auto accident or has been arrested. FBI Special Agent Richard Frankel says more than 100 New York City residents have fallen victim to the scam.

Frankel says that to avoid becoming a victim yourself, try and get the caller's phone number and give as little personal information as possible. He says residents should then call the loved one in question to make sure that they were not in fact kidnapped.

Anyone who thinks they may have been a victim of the scam should immediately call 911 or the FBI at 212-384-1000.