scam

Burlington Police Warn Residents Following Recent String of Home Improvement Scams

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Burlington Police Department
Michael R. Kent
Chief of Police
45 Center Street
Burlington, MA 01803
www.bpd.org

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019

Media Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Burlington Police Warn Residents Following Recent String of Home Improvement Scams

BURLINGTON – Chief Michael Kent and the Burlington Police Department wish to warn residents of ongoing home improvement scams in the area and provide tips to avoid being victimized.

Residents in Burlington and surrounding towns have reported to police that they have been approached at their homes by men offering various home improvement services including gutter cleaning, roofing, driveway repair and sealing. The suspects pose as legitimate contractors and reportedly have an Irish accent, but are allegedly not licensed and do not obtain permits to conduct the work.

Victims of the scam report that the suspects request payment for their services upfront, and perform a small portion of the work before claiming that additional work to the home needs to be done, such as repointing a chimney or replacing shingles. The individuals continue to raise the price of their services as they claim additional projects need to be done, and when the homeowner eventually refuses to pay any more money, the suspects leave the property and do not return.

Four Burlington residents have reported being victimized by the scams. Many of the victims are elderly.

The Burlington Police Department wishes to share the following tips regarding home improvement contractor scams from the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation:

  • Scammers often approach potential victims for home improvement scams by phone, email or by traveling door-to-door, and may claim they’ve been performing work locally and have surplus material.
  • Scammers frequently offer their services at a very low price.
  • Check to make sure the contractor is registered with the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation by using their home improvement contractor registration look up service. Request a business card or website address for the contractor’s business.
  • Be wary if the individual is driving an unmarked motor vehicle.
  • Request a copy of the company’s standard contract.
  • Learn where the company is based out of, whether they are a local business and verify a minimum of three references.
  • Inquire about whether the company will provide a warranty and how long that warranty will last.
  • Remain wary if a severe weather event has just occurred. Scammers often take severe weather storms as an opportunity to target potential victims for home improvement scams.
  • Never pay more than one-third the total cost of a service upfront, in cash, and only do so once you have verified that this person is a registered home improvement contractor and you have a contract.
  • The Better Business Bureau (BBB) can verify whether the company is a member, and the BBB, as well as the Office of the Attorney General, can also tell you if there have been complaints filed against the company.

The Burlington Police Department is actively investigating these incidents. Anyone who believes these suspects are in their neighborhood or who has information about these incidents is encouraged to contact the Burlington Police Department at 781-272-1212.

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Enfield Fire Rescue Warns Against Donation Scam

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Enfield Fire Rescue
District 1
Chief Edward N. Richards
200 Phoenix Ave.
Enfield, CT 06082

For Immediate Release

Friday, Aug. 16, 2019

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

 

Enfield Fire Rescue Warns Against Donation Scam

The Department is Not Currently Soliciting Monetary Donations

ENFIELD — Chief Edward Richards reports that residents should be aware of a scam involving an individual falsely claiming to be collecting donations on behalf of Enfield Fire Rescue.

Earlier today, a resident reported receiving a phone call from an unknown person who claimed to be an employee of Enfield Fire. The caller was seeking donations on behalf of Enfield Fire for between $35 and $100. The number the call came from was 860-776-0119.

Chief Richards would like residents to be aware that Enfield Fire is not currently soliciting monetary donations and any phone calls or emails asking for donations are a scam.

“Residents should disregard any calls from individuals claiming to be soliciting donations on behalf of our department,” Chief Richards said. “I applaud this resident for being suspicious of the caller, and for checking the validity of the call with our department.”

To avoid falling victim to telephone scams, Enfield Fire recommends that residents follow these tips outlined by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC):

  • Don’t answer calls from unknown numbers. Let them go to voicemail.
  • If you answer and the caller (often a recording) asks you to hit a button to stop receiving calls, hang up. Scammers often use these tricks to identify, and then target, live respondents.
  • If you receive a scam call, write down the number and file a complaint with the FTC.
  • Ask your phone service provider if it offers a robocall blocking service. You can also visit the FTC’s website for information and resources on available robocall blocking tools to help reduce unwanted calls.
  • Consider registering all of your telephone numbers in the National Do Not Call Registry. Access the registry online or by calling 1-888-382-1222.

These scams can also be reported to the FTC at 877-382-4357, as well as the Enfield Police Department at 860-763-6400.

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Photo: North Reading Police Seek to Identify Scammer

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North Reading Police Department
Chief Michael P. Murphy
150 Park St.
North Reading, MA 01864

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

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

Photo: North Reading Police Seek to Identify Scammer

Suspect Contacted Young Woman for Babysitting Services, Using a 9-Year-Old girl to Facilitate Scam

North Reading Police are seeking to identify this man as a suspected scammer who duped a local babysitter out of hundreds of dollars. (North Reading Police Department/Courtesy Photo)
North Reading Police are seeking to identify this man as a suspected scammer who duped a local babysitter out of hundreds of dollars. (North Reading Police Department/Courtesy Photo)

NORTH READING — Chief Michael P. Murphy and the North Reading Police Department are alerting the community and asking for the public’s assistance after an alleged con man scammed a local babysitter out of hundreds of dollars via a gift card scam.

On Friday, July 26, a 19-year-old Beverly woman babysat a 9-year-old girl after the woman was contacted by a man, purporting to be the girl’s father, requesting babysitting services. The woman babysits for multiple local families and it is not unusual for her clients to give out her number

The woman met the man outside a home in North Reading. When she arrived, there were two dogs running around the yard as well as the man and a young girl. The victim watched the girl for approximately three hours, taking her to a Dunkin Donuts and a nearby park, before returning the girl to the man at the same house. The man wrote her two checks, totaling $3,360 and instructed her to deposit the checks using mobile deposit on her phone before taking the physical checks with him.

The man, who identified himself as David, later called the woman back stating that he paid her too much and instructed her to purchase iTunes gift cards and read the numbers off to him to pay back the balance.

The woman went to a local store, purchased the $500 in gift cards, maximizing her daily spending limit on her debit card. She gave “David” the numbers. Later on, the checks the victim had previously deposited bounced due to insufficient funds.

The suspect aggressively tried to get the victim to buy more gift cards and he allegedly became angry when she explained that she reached her spending limit, at one point threatening the victim.

The victim filed a police report and the North Reading Police Department has initiated an investigation.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic male who spoke with a pronounced accent. The 9-year-old who the suspect identified as “Ali” is described as 4′ to 4’6″ girl with a heavy build. She did not speak with any accent. The suspect may have two German Shepherds and may be operating a late model “boxy” Honda Pilot type sport utility vehicle with suitcases and duffel bags piled up in the back seat.

The home where the victim met the suspect and the girl was in foreclosure and is unoccupied. During the pickup and drop off, the suspect met the victim outside the home and he was never seen going inside.

The use of an unoccupied home, a child, dogs and a vehicle parked in the driveway were all part of an elaborate, planned out scam.

North Reading Police are concerned for the welfare of the child used in the scam. Police are working with law enforcement partners in an attempt to locate the suspect and the 9 year old girl.

“This is a deeply disturbing and unfortunate real-world scam situation. In recent years, we have seen countless examples of these scams and cons executed online and via telephone, but rarely do citizens encounter a brazen scammer in-person,” Chief Murphy said. “Thankfully, the bank’s withdrawal limit on the victim’s account likely saved her thousands of dollars in lost funds. Most disturbing to me is the suspect using a 9 year-old-child to help facilitate the scam. We’re hopeful that someone from the public recognizes the photo of the suspect so that we can make sure that the child is safe.”

The North Reading Police Department renews its warning to never give a pre-paid debit card or gift card number to a stranger. Pre-paid debit cards and gift cards are not legitimate ways to pay for goods and services. They are as good as cash to the extent that, once funds are transferred the money cannot be recovered, and the victims lose their money forever.

Citizens should also be extremely suspicious of anything that appears “too good to be true” such as a person offering to dramatically overpay for goods or services. Due diligence is also recommended when accepting a personal check from someone, especially someone you do not know well.

If anyone recognizes the suspect pictured above, has any information about this case or has been likewise contacted in a similar manner, they are asked to contact the North Reading Police Department at 978-664-3131.

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East Bridgewater Police Issue Warning about Social Security Scams after Woman is Victimized

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East Bridgewater Police Department
Scott Allen, Chief of Police
153 Central St.
East Bridgewater, MA 02333

For Immediate Release

Saturday, July 13, 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

East Bridgewater Police Issue Warning about Social Security Scams after Woman is Victimized

Police Remind Residents to Never Pay Debt Collector by Money Order, Pre-Paid Debit Card or Gift Card

EAST BRIDGEWATER — Chief Scott Allen is urgently reiterating law enforcement’s standing warning about telephone scams perpetuated by criminals seeking to con citizens out of their savings.

At approximately 3:40 p.m. on Thursday, July 11, East Bridgewater Police received a call from a CVS store associate reporting that an elderly woman was attempting to withdraw money from the store’s ATM.

The woman told the store associate that she received a call from the U.S. Social Security Administration telling her that she owed money and needed to purchase gift cards to make the payment. The store associate informed the individual that the Social Security Administration does not call people to demand money. However, the individual continued with her transaction, purchased the gift cards, provided the caller with their codes and lost the money, despite the clerk’s warnings.

The woman was from an area town, and after receiving the alert from CVS, East Bridgewater Police were able to contact her. They reminded the woman that no government agency or law enforcement official will EVER call a citizen to demand immediate payment on a debt via pre-paid debit card or gift card.

Pre-paid debit cards and gift cards are not a legitimate way to pay for goods and services. They cannot be traced, and once funds are transferred, the money cannot be recovered.

“Giving someone a wire transfer, pre-paid debit card or gift card is equivalent to handing someone an envelope full of cash,” Chief Allen said. “No government agency will ask for payment in this way. No matter how convincing or demanding the caller is, never give them your personal or financial information, and never send them untraceable money. When these people call you, hang up immediately and call the police.”

Common telephones scams that target residents – especially 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.

To help people protect themselves from similar scams, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) offers several tips on its website, including:

  • Do not take calls from unknown numbers.
  • Do not share personal, identifying information like Social Security numbers, account numbers, or mother’s maiden names.
  • 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.
  • Caller ID is not always accurate. A call from a “local” number might not be coming from a local person or organization.
  • Never pay a caller using a gift card or prepaid credit card.
  • Be wary of callers who talk quickly and pressure you to make a decision quickly.
  • 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 a risk of losing the right to dispute fraudulent charges.
  • Report rude or abusive callers, even if you already sent them money, by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP or by visiting ftc.gov/complaint.

Chief Allen would also like to commend the East Bridgewater CVS store associate who recognized the call as a scam and attempted to prevent the individual from falling victim to the scammer. Convenience stores and pharmacies have been training their associates over the past few years on how to recognize these scams in progress.

The investigation into this incident is ongoing. However, the money the resident sent the scammer most likely cannot be recovered.

Anyone who has questions, concerns, or believes they are the victim of a scam is asked to contact the East Bridgewater Police Department at 508-378-7223.

 

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