For Immediate Release

Monday, May 8, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Reading Police Expand Warning about Telephone Scam Spoofing Town and Elected Officials’ Phone Numbers

READING — Chief Mark Segalla and the Reading Police Department are expanding a warning to residents about a telephone scam in which criminals appear capable of spoofing a variety of town and elected officials’ phone numbers.

In the same vein as other widespread telephone scams, the caller tells the resident that they can save money on a specific bill — electricity, gas, etc. — by switching to another service.

Nearly all official Town of Reading phone numbers begin with either “(781) 942” or “(781) 944.”

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

The Reading Police first became aware of official phone numbers being used in scams when a resident told police that she received a call on Thursday, April 27, with the caller stating that they can save the homeowner money on their electric bill. The resident did the right thing by immediately hanging up and notifying police.

“I cannot emphasize enough the importance of taking great care in protecting your personal information and keeping it out of the hands of criminals,” Chief Segalla said. “All of these scams are illegal, but we find it especially troubling that scammers are attempting to prey on residents by using town and elected officials’ phone numbers.”

Common telephones scams that target residents — specifically seniors — include:

• IRS Impostors: Callers contact you demanding immediate payment for back taxes.

• Arrested Relative: Scammers contact you claiming that a friend or relative has been arrested and needs bail money.

• Kidnapped Relative:  Scammers call to report a friend or relative has been kidnapped and a ransom must be paid.

• Threatened Arrest: Scammers call to tell you that you are subject to arrest (by a variety of different agencies: U.S. Marshals, FBI, etc.) and must pay to avoid arrest.

• Utility Scam: 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.

• Tech Support/Malware: Someone contacts you claiming your computer needs repairs and to send money for service or asks to connect to your computer. Additionally, a pop-up can appear on your computer, stating that it is infected with malware, and to call a number to pay to remove the virus.

In many of these calls, the scammer demands 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. Sending money via money order, or pre-paid debit card is as good as sending cash, and if money is sent to a criminal, it is gone forever and cannot be recovered.

If anyone has any questions or feels that they have been victimized, they are encouraged to call Reading Police at 781-944-1212

###