scam

Winthrop Police Warn of Increase in Scam Related Phone Calls

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Winthrop Police Department
Chief Terence M. Delehanty
3 Metcalf Square
Winthrop, MA 02152

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Winthrop Police Warn of Increase in Scam Related Phone Calls

WINTHROP — Chief Terence M. Delehanty and the Winthrop Police Department are issuing a warning about a recent sharp increase in scam phone calls received by residents.

Like similar existing scams, a caller tells residents that they represent a legitimate company or agency, such as a National Grid, the Internal Revenue Service or a computer company and demands payment for overdue bills or taxes, or offers illegitimate repair services for a fee.

In many cases, the scammer demands payment via electronic money order or pre-paid debit card. This should be an immediate red flag. No legitimate company or agency will ever demand money via these means. The IRS will never call you by phone to collect unpaid taxes.

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.

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

Winthrop public safety officials have placed a recorded call to residents to alert them directly about the increase in scam calls in an attempt to prevent anyone from becoming a victim.

“These types of calls are fake, and the people placing them are attempting to victimize residents by making them fear that their utilities will be shut off, that they will be arrested or that their computers have become infected with a virus,” Chief Delehanty said. “Anyone who receives these types of calls should hang up immediately.”

Common telephone 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, local police 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. These types of scams will often target businesses as well as residents.
  • 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.

If anyone has questions or feels that they may have been victimized, they are encouraged to call Winthrop Police at 617-846-1212.

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Fairhaven Police Warn Residents of Phone Scam

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Fairhaven Police Department
Kevin W. Kobza, Sergeant/PIO
1 Bryant St.
Fairhaven, MA 02719

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Feb. 22, 2018

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: ben@jgpr.net

Fairhaven Police Warn Residents of Phone Scam

FAIRHAVEN — Sgt. Kevin W. Kobza is warning Fairhaven residents about a recent telephone scam.

Sgt. Kobza personally received a call today from a man who identified himself as working for the “American Officer’s Association,” claiming he was collecting money for a fundraiser.

Anyone who receives a call from someone claiming to be from the organization should not speak with them and should not donate money to them.

The phone number that Sgt. Kobza received the call from was 781-613-1095, out of Dedham.

Sgt. Kobza attempted to call the number back and got an answering machine with a woman’s voice on it. The incident is under investigation.

If anyone has questions about law enforcement organizations conducting legitimate fundraisers, please confirm the fundraising efforts with your local police departments.

Any Fairhaven residents who believe they are a victim of this scam should call the Fairhaven Police Department at 508-997-7421.

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North Reading Police Warn About Blackmail Scam

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NRPD BADGE

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

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Nov, 28, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

North Reading Police Warn About Blackmail Scam

NORTH READING — It’s old meets new as a well-known scam recently targeted a North Reading resident.

Chief Michael P. Murphy reports that the North Reading Police Department is investigating after a resident received a typed letter in the traditional mail on Monday demanding a blackmail payment be made via the digital currency called Bitcoin.

Police indicate that it is a new spin on one of the oldest money scams going. The sender informs the resident that they have “evidence” about “the secret you are keeping from your wife.” The sender agrees to “forget all about you and let you get on with your life” in exchange for a $2,500 “confidentiality fee” that must be paid via Bitcoin.

“These types of scams all have one thing in common: a criminal threatens an unsuspecting resident, but promises that the threat can go away in exchange for money paid via a method that usually cannot be tracked and cannot be recovered,” Chief Murphy said. “Above all, please do not pay these people. These are fraudulent threats aimed at stealing your money.”

These scams have been around for many years and come in a wide variety of types and methods including:

  • Family member is in jail; bail money needed
  • Utility company threatening to turn off electricity, phones, gas, heat, etc.
  • Taxes owed to the IRS
  • Lawsuit pending
  • Family member is stranded overseas and needs money wired to them
  • Blackmail — “we know your secrets”

Scammers demand money via Western Union wires, pre-paid debit cards, gift cards, mailed cash, or Bitcoin in almost all cases. Scams can come in the mail, email, social media, or via telephone (landline or cell phone).

Similar letters were received by residents of other communities around the country.  In the North Reading example, it was a widely used form letter with the resident’s name added throughout to give the appearance of authenticity.

Chief Murphy urges all residents  to be vigilant with these types of scams and report them to your local police department.

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Fairhaven Police Issue Warning About Telephone Scam Targeting Restaurants

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Fairhaven Police Department
Kevin W. Kobza, Sergeant/PIO
1 Bryant St.
Fairhaven, MA 02719

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Fairhaven Police Issue Warning About Telephone Scam Targeting Restaurants

FAIRHAVEN — Sgt. Kevin W. Kobza is warning business owners about a recent telephone scam targeting Fairhaven restaurants.

An unknown person has called restaurants claiming they owe thousands of dollars to Eversource, and that the electricity to the business will be shut off within the next five minutes if the issue is not immediately resolved. The scammer typically calls during a restaurant’s busy period.

The caller demands that a restaurant owner go purchase prepaid debit cards and load them with thousands of dollars and then read the card and PIN numbers back to them over the phone.

“This individual is calling during a restaurant’s busiest times in order to try and catch the person who answers the phone off-guard,” Sgt. Kobza said. “The person answering the phone may not know about the restaurant’s electric bill situation, only that if the power is shut off they will have to shut down.”

The most recent incident happened on Thursday, Nov. 9, when the owner of the Phoenix Restaurant, 140 Huttleston Ave., received a fraudulent request for money. The owner recognized the call after being a victim of the same scam last year and called the police. The owner did not lose any money.

Three other Fairhaven restaurants received similar calls last year and were victims of the scam.

“A utility company would never call a business with such an immediate and threatening ultimatum,” Sgt. Kobza said. “If you get a call you believe could be a scam, check your utility bill and call the number printed on the bill to verify any collection calls. The only way scammers can get anything from you, is if you give it to them.  So don’t.”

Sgt. Kobza also asks that business owners who sell prepaid debit cards be on the lookout for customers who may be being scammed.

“If you see someone who is putting thousands of dollars onto a prepaid debit card or buying them in bulk, ask them what it is for and let them know that someone could be taking advantage of them,” Sgt. Kobza said.

Anyone who believes they could be a victim of similar phone scam should call the Fairhaven Police at 508-997-7421.

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