HANSON — Chief Michael Miksch and the Hanson Police Department is warning the community about scams that target seniors and would like to offer tips for community members to help better protect themselves and their loved ones.
Hanson Police are currently investigating two recently reported scams that targeted elderly residents. The residents reported to police that they had received a phone call from a man who identified himself as their grandson’s lawyer. The man advised that their grandson had been in an accident and was being detained in another state. The man then requested cash in order for the grandson to be released.
In the common, so-called “grandparent scam,” scammers call an individual and inform them that a relative is in an emergency or has been arrested or detained, sometimes in another state or foreign country. The scammers may pose as the relative of the victim or a lawyer. Some scammers may also use artificial intelligence to clone a loved one’s voice.
The scammers then request bail payment in cash or in the form of a pre-paid gift card, given to a person posing as a courier or bail bondsman who arrives at the victim’s home. Alternatively, the scammers may request money be transferred via a wire or shipping service.
Hanson Police urge all residents to remember that any detainment of relatives can be confirmed with the arresting police department or through the local district court. Government agencies, including law enforcement, never contact the public demanding payment by wire transfer or by prepaid cards when individuals are being held on bail.
While there are different types of fake emergency scams, there are often commonalities: the scammer says it’s urgent and only you can help, the scammer says it’s important to keep it a secret and the scammer plays with your emotions and counts on you to act quickly without verifying the story.
Avoiding fake emergency and “grandparent” scams:
If someone calls or sends a message claiming to be a family member or a friend desperate for money:
- Resist the urge to act immediately, no matter how dramatic the story is.
Verify the person’s identity by asking questions that a stranger could not answer. - Call a phone number for your family member or friend that you know to be genuine.
- Check the story out with someone else in your family or circle of friends, even if you’ve been told to keep it a secret.
- Don’t wire money or send a check or money order by overnight delivery or courier.
- Report possible fraud at ftc.gov/complaint or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP.
While it is extremely difficult to recover funds lost as a result of these scams, residents and community members should always report these scams to the police. Residents who believe they may have fallen victim to such a scam are encouraged to contact the Hanson Police Department at 781-293-4625.
For more information about scams, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website or the state’s Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation.
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