Missing Hiker Didn't Answer a Rescue Call Thinking It Was a Scammer

Senior man trail hiking in a mountain forest, in the Alps of Italy

Photo: Getty Images

A hiker in Colorado went missing last week. And the reason no one could find them is pretty dumb . . . but also relatable.

They were hiking near Mt. Elbert, about 100 miles southwest of Denver. Someone reported them missing when they didn't show up by nightfall.

So a search-and-rescue team went looking but couldn't find them. They even tried calling the person's phone several times, but no one answered. And that's the relatable part.

It turned out the hiker was lost, but fine. And the reason they didn't answer their phone was . . . they didn't recognize the number and assumed it was a SCAMMER. Like maybe that Nigerian prince still needed help to move some money around…

They found their own way back about 24 hours after they left and had no idea anyone was looking for them.

Search-and-rescue officials posted about it on Facebook to make sure it doesn't happen again.

They said if you're out hiking and get lost overnight, you should answer your phone . . . even if you don't recognize the number. 

(Sacramento Bee / Facebook) Image © 2021 Getty Images


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