• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
John Guilfoil Public Relations LLC

John Guilfoil Public Relations LLC

PR for Police, Fire, Schools and Municipal Government

  • About
    • About
    • Team
    • Jobs at JGPR
    • Internships
  • Services
    • Content
    • Strategy
    • Standards
    • COVID-19 Crisis Communications
    • Work With Us
  • Our Work
    • Portfolio
    • Sectors We Serve
  • News
    • COVID-19 News
    • Client News
    • JGPR News
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Vimeo

Hanson Police Warn Residents about Common Scams During National Crime Prevention Month

HANSON -- As part of National Crime Prevention Month, Chief Michael Miksch and the Hanson Police Department wish to warn the public about common types of scams.

October 13, 2020 JGPR Staff Client News, Police News

October 13, 2020 by JGPR Staff

For immediate release

HANSON — As part of National Crime Prevention Month, Chief Michael Miksch and the Hanson Police Department wish to warn the public about common types of scams.

October is National Crime Prevention Month. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports that in 2019 consumers lost more than $1.9 billion to fraud with nearly $667 million lost to imposter scams alone. 

Chief Miksch warns that residents should NEVER give personal information, social security numbers or credit card numbers to people through social media, or to people who call their homes or cell phones unsolicited.

“Scammers will often target vulnerable populations, including the elderly, and it is important to know how to identify these scams or what to do if you think someone has become a victim,” Chief Miksch said. “We urge residents to review the following scam prevention tips so they and their loved ones do not fall victim to scammers.”

Common scams that target residents – specifically senior citizens – include:

  • Social Security Scams: Scammers pretend to be from the U.S. Social Security Administration and try to get your Social Security Number or money.
  • IRS Scams: Scammers call, pretending to be from the IRS, and say they’re filing a lawsuit against your back taxes.
  • Phishing Scams: Scammers use email or text messages to trick you into giving them your personal information.
  • Fake Check Scams: Scammers ask you to deposit a check for more than you are owed and send some of the money to another person. 
  • Utility Scams: Scammers pose as bill collectors from utility companies and threaten to shut off service if you do not pay.
  • Sweepstakes: Someone calls to notify you that you have won a contest or sweepstakes and must send money to collect any winnings.

Often, the scammer will demand payment via electronic money order or pre-paid debit card. This should be an immediate red flag. No legitimate vendor will ever demand money via these means.

To prevent similar scams, the FTC recommends the following:

  • Do not take calls from unknown numbers.
  • Caller ID is not always accurate. A call from a “local” number might not be coming from a local person or organization.
  • Do not share personal, identifying information like your Social Security Number, account numbers, or your mother’s maiden name.
  • If a caller claims to represent an organization and you are doubtful, hang up and contact that agency to verify whether the call was truly from a representative.
  • Never pay a caller with a gift card.
  • Telemarketers are required by law to state that they are making a sales call. They are mandated to say the name of the seller and the product before pitching their sale. If this does not happen, hang up.
  • Be wary of callers who talk quickly and pressure you to make a decision quickly.
  • Do not buy a product or service because of a “free gift.”
  • Get all information in writing before making a purchase.
  • Verify the legitimacy of a charity before donating.
  • Before making an investment that a caller or emailer is offering, check with your state securities regulator to make sure the offer is properly registered.
  • Do not send cash by messenger, overnight mail, or money transfer. If you pay for a product or service with cash or a money transfer, you run the risk of losing the right to dispute fraudulent charges.
  • Do not accept an offer that requires a registration or shipping fee to get a prize or gift.
  • Beware of offers to “help” recover money that you already have lost. Scammers sometimes pose as law enforcement officers who will help get money back for a fee.
  • Report rude or abusive callers, even if you already sent them money, by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP or by visiting ftc.gov/complaint.

If anyone has any questions or feels that they have been victimized, they are encouraged to call the Hanson Police Department.

###

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Client News,  Police News Hanson Police Department,  national crime prevention month,  scam prevention

Primary Sidebar

Hanson Police Department
Chief Michael Miksch
775 Main St.
Hanson, MA 02341
Media Contact: Matthew Reid
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: matt@jgpr.net

Email Updates

Email info@jgpr.net if you wish to be placed on a SPECIFIC email list for your beat, agency or community. Or enter your email address here to subscribe for ALL updates from JGPR and our clients.

Join 11,078 other subscribers

Recent News

  • Woburn School Committee Announces Tentative Agreement on Contracts February 5, 2023
  • Ludlow Fire Department Extinguishes House Fire, Urges Caution When Defrosting Pipes February 4, 2023
  • Nahant Fire Department Extinguishes House Fire February 4, 2023
  • Stow Fire Department Extinguishes Chimney Fire February 4, 2023
  • Rowley Police Department Reports Communications System Briefly Knocked Offline February 4, 2023

Content. Strategy. Standards.

When you need help, turn to the award-winning team at the John Guilfoil Public Relations Agency.


Contact Us Work With Us

Footer

Always Open

Call us: 617-993-0003

We’re available 24/7/365.

Location

Main Office
Northern New England

8 Prospect St.
Georgetown, MA 01833
617-993-0003

Southern New England
719 Washington St.
Canton, MA 02021
781-428-3299

Award Winning

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Vimeo

Stay up-to-date with breaking JGPR client news.

Subscribe to this website

Email info@jgpr.net if you wish to be placed on a SPECIFIC email list for your beat, agency or community. Or enter your email address here to subscribe for ALL updates from JGPR and our clients.

Join 11,078 other subscribers
Copyright © 2023 John Guilfoil Public Relations, LLC Log in · Privacy Policy
 

Loading Comments...