Sen. Rick Scott, Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene say they are latest victims of 'swatting' calls

Dec. 28 (UPI) -- Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., said Thursday his Naples home was "swatted" while he was having dinner with his wife Wednesday night.

Swatting is the term for false emergency calls that result in police SWAT team-like responses.

"Last night, while at dinner with my wife, cowards 'swatted' my home in Naples," Scott wrote on his X account. "These criminals wasted the time & resources of our law enforcement in a sick attempt to terrorize my family."

Naples Police said on their X account, "Recent Swatting Incidents in Naples-Collier County have resulted in immediate law enforcement response out of an abundance of caution to ensure the safety of the public. We ask the public to appreciate the circumstances and to be patient with law enforcement as we respond."

Police said Scott's home was targeted Wednesday night, but after about 15 minutes on scene they determined it was a hoax.

Naples Police spokesman Lt. Bryan McGinn said, "People are utilizing spoofing techniques and things like that to change their phone numbers. Apps and programs are more available, readily to digitize voices so people can hide and shield their voice from law enforcement when they're communicating with dispatchers and things of that nature."

The same day, Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene alleged her two daughters' homes were "swatted," as well.

"Big thanks to the police who responded," Greene said in a post on X. "We appreciate you and support you! Whoever is doing this, you are going to get caught and it won't be funny to you anymore."

Greene said her home in Rome, Ga., was hit by a "swatting" on Christmas Day with a caller falsely reporting a shooting and potential suicide.

She said it was "like the 8th time."

In an incident in August 2022, a caller claimed a shooting occurred at Greene's home. The day after, another caller suggested they possibly shot Greene's family.

Rep. Brandon Williams, R-N.Y., also reported a "swatting" on Monday.

According to Boston Police, Democratic Mayor Michelle Wu also suffered a "swatting" incident Monday.

In July Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a statement that a newly created FBI database was opened to all federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to help combat what he called "these dangerous hoax calls."