Audio Transcript

Mollie Halpern: The FBI cautions parents about the potential threats associated with their children’s Internet-connected toys and other devices. Toys that connect to mobile phones via Bluetooth or WiFi are vulnerable to exploitation. Unit Chief Ken Harris says your information could end up in the hands of cyber criminals and sexual predators.

Ken Harris: And all that information, if it's unsecured on a web server somewhere, is vulnerable to an intrusion and someone stealing it, and then that information will end up, odds are, on the Dark Web, where it could be sold.

Halpern: To date, the FBI has not seen evidence of these types of toys used to target children. We do, however, recommend that parents be on the lookout for red flags.

Harris: I think as a parent, you should consider these toys the same as a cellphone or a laptop. It's an Internet-connected device, and as you monitor your children on those devices, you should monitor their interaction with these toys.

Halpern: If you suspect your child’s toy has been compromised, file a complaint at the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov. With FBI, This Week, I’m Mollie Halpern of the Bureau.