A lady is handing out flyers which describe her recent "close call" with a would-be kidnapper. The lady’s story turns out to be an internet hoax which dates back to 1998. But the elements (described in the hoax) present a real danger. If this tale can prevent a kidnapping, let’s risk it, hoax or not:

Miriam finishes a day of Christmas shopping at the mall. With an armful of packages she returns to her car and finds her left rear tire is flat.

She dumps her packages on the back seat and gets the jack out of the trunk. As she struggles with the flat, a well-dressed man with a briefcase comes up and offers help. Miriam accepts. The two chat while the stranger changes the tire.

Later, she thanks him, but the man replies, "I wonder if I could ask a small favor? You see, I’m parked all the way over on the other side of the mall, and now I’m late for a business appointment. Would you mind giving me a lift to my car?"

Miriam is somewhat stunned by the request. How could she say "no" to the man who just helped her? Still, he’s a total stranger. It’s at that moment that she remembers the man putting his briefcase in the trunk of her car after changing the flat tire.

"I’ll be glad to drive you to your car," she says, "but there’s one more thing I must get in the mall — I’ll be back in a few minutes," she says, leaving hurriedly.

A security guard returns with Miriam, but the stranger is gone. She unlocks the trunk and finds the briefcase — locked. Police later open the briefcase where they find a hank of rope, a roll of duct tape, some rags, a pair of gloves, and a kitchen knife. Police check the flat tire and find nothing wrong with it, except the air was let out.

Miriam is planning on a Merry Christmas — but the season could have ended very badly.

Call The Cops! & Bob Ford wish for you and yours a very Happy Christmas.