The Billerica Police Department has taken numerous reports this year involving scams amounting to thousands of dollars in losses to residents. Many of these scams involve the use of Green Dot MoneyPak cards, MyVanilla reload cards, Paypal prepaid cards, iTunes cards and others.
Scenario from a Billerica Resident-
Victim receives an email masquerading as Amazon order confirmation (example email). The email is intended to notify that their order has been shipped hoping that the victim will notice that they did not order the item and immediately call the number displayed in the email. The number will direct you to the scammer where they will attempt to ascertain your personal information and credit card information. These emails are not usually text based and all of the content is contained in a large image to thwart anti spam engines. In addition, the sender usually uses a generic email address, often Gmail.
Residents should always check suspicious emails like this with their Amazon account or by calling Amazon directly at (888) 280-4331. Never call the numbers displayed in suspicious emails.
Scenario from a Billerica Resident-
Bank of America (or any other bank) customers are sent an email which says their account was deactivated and in order to reactivate it, you must update the account by giving (the scammer) personal information. They threaten to close the account if this is not done promptly. We called the bank and they confirmed that this was a scam and that they would NEVER send out an email like this to customers. Also…the email has a VERY realistic Bank of America logo and an email address ALMOST identical to Bank of America’s email domain.
In many of these scams the victim is often instructed to go to a local store and purchase green dot cards and call the suspect back. The victim is then instructed to read the MoneyPak number(s) back to the suspect. This gives the suspect immediate access to the money and there is no way to recover it. Suspects often use phone numbers with an official looking caller ID to appear legitimate.
Scenario from BPD–
BPD has taken reports recently involving scams involving cryptocurrency investing. Victims report receiving unsolicited messages through WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger or other internet based messaging apps. The scammer offers to assist the victim with cryptocurrency investing. Victims are given links to websites that allow for electronic transfers and are instructed to transfer funds to invest. The scam continues with more requests for money transfers for investing or to cover fees and or taxes. Scammers will also utilize phony apps to facilitate the thefts. In the small number of cases BPD has seen in the last couple of weeks, the amount stolen has been significant at about $200,000. Most often, this money is not recoverable. Be wary of messages and suspicious links on social media:
- Never entertain unsolicited communications
- Never give anyone your login credentials
- Never accept offers to assist with withdrawals/deposits
- Never entertain “free” giveaways, airdrops or trading platforms
Spoofing is when someone disguises an email address, sender name, phone number, or website URL often just by changing one letter, symbol, or number—to convince you that you are interacting with a trusted source.
For example, you might receive an email that looks like it’s from your boss, a company you’ve done business with, or even from someone in your family—but it actually isn’t.
Criminals count on being able to manipulate you into believing that these spoofed communications are real, which can lead you to download malicious software, send money, or disclose personal, financial, or other sensitive information.
Inheritance:
This scam is usually initiated with an unsolicited letter mailed to the victim (example letter here). The authors of these letters usually represent themselves as a resident of a foreign country. Their claimed role is often a bank official managing the large estate of a deceased client. In the letter they claim that their deceased client left a large amount of cash under bank management and there is no next of kin or beneficiary to transfer the money to. The author then requests that the letter recipient act as the next of kin. The author then agrees to share a percentage of the funds with the victim once all transactions are complete. Once the victim calls the number provided, the scammer will attempt to illicit a payment from the victim to cover legal fees or documentation associated with the inheritance claim. After the payment is made, the scammer will often attempt to claim more expenses until the victim realizes that they are being scammed or their ability to pay is exhausted.
Lottery/Sweepstakes or Payout:
You are contacted by someone unsolicited (phone or mail) claiming you won money or are entitled to collect money. The contact may come by phone, email or any other electronic platform. BPD has even documented these scams originating on Facebook Messenger. The victim is told that in order to claim or collect the money the victim needs to wire transfer funds to cover “processing, taxes or fees”. Often times the original letter includes a check where the victim is instructed to cash it and send a portion back to cover fees. The check bounces a short time later, leaving the victim responsible for the funds. Once the victim wires money to the scammers more will often be requested due to “additional costs” associated with collecting the winnings or payout. Unfortunately, victims will often perform multiple transfers before they realize they are being scammed.
A grandparent receives a phone call (or sometimes an e-mail) from a “grandchild.” If it is a phone call, it’s often late at night or early in the morning when most people aren’t thinking that clearly. Usually, the person claims to be traveling in a foreign country and has gotten into a bad situation, like being arrested for drugs, getting in a car accident, or being mugged…and needs money wired ASAP. And the caller doesn’t want his or her parents told.
A new twist on this scam is a caller claiming the relative is in their custody and will be killed without payment.
Sometimes, instead of the “grandchild” making the phone call, the criminal pretends to be an arresting police officer, a lawyer, a doctor at a hospital, or some other person. And we’ve also received complaints about the phony grandchild talking first and then handing the phone over to an accomplice…to further spin the fake tale
We’ve also seen military families victimized: after perusing a soldier’s social networking site, a con artist will contact the soldier’s grandparents, sometimes claiming that a problem came up during military leave that requires money to address.
While it’s commonly called the grandparent scam, criminals may also claim to be a family friend, a niece or nephew, or another family member.
IRS:
Victims receive an unsolicited phone call and are told they owe money to the IRS and it must be paid promptly through a pre-loaded debit card (MoneyPak) or wire transfer. The number on the caller ID is spoofed and may read “Washington DC”, “IRS” or something similar. If the victim refuses to cooperate, they are then threatened with arrest, deportation or suspension of a business or driver’s license. In many cases, the caller becomes hostile and insulting. Please see the IRS website for more information.
Social Security:
Scammers are saying your Social Security number (SSN) has been suspended because of suspicious activity, or because it’s been involved in a crime. Sometimes, the scammer wants you to confirm your SSN to reactivate it. Sometimes, he’ll say your bank account is about to be seized – but he’ll tell you what to do to keep it safe. (Often, that involves putting your money on gift cards and giving him the codes – which, of course, means that your money is gone.) Oh, and your caller ID often shows the real SSA phone number (1-800-772-1213) when these scammers call – but they’re faking that number. It’s not the real SSA calling.
Utility Company- Scenario from AARP
The callers claim to be billing representatives from your utility company but are actually crooks looking for a quick payoff. They tell you that to avoid an immediate shutoff, you need to settle an overdue bill by providing them with your credit card number or a prepaid debit card (MoneyPak).
Paving-Scenario from Wellesley Police
A man knocks on your door and says he has extra asphalt, extra roofing materials, paint or other home repair materials and is willing to pave your driveway, patch a roof, paint or perform other household repairs at a discounted price. His high pressure approach confuses and intimidates. If you agree to let them perform the work, here is what likely happens. Men and equipment suddenly appear and begin “working” on your driveway, roof or other area in or around your home. At some point, the conman claims a mistake was made and you owe thousands more than the original price. He threatens that if you refuse to pay, the “work” will cease. You may be escorted to the bank, to withdraw money. When you realize the scam you try to cancel the check only to learn it was cashed within minutes of it being written. Remember, anyone soliciting door to door in Billerica needs to have a solicitors license issued by BPD.