Scam Attempt Pretends To Come From Swampscott Police

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — Swampscott police are warning residents of scam calls that appear to be originating from the police department's business line.

Police said on Tuesday night a resident reported getting a call from a scammer from a number that showed up as 781-595-1111 — the department's business line. This is part of an increasingly common practice called "spoofing" in which a solicitation call looks as if it is coming from a trusted number.

"Normally a police officer will not ask for information like social security numbers, or credit card information over the phone," Swampscott police said, "unless it is an ongoing investigation where you have already spoken to an officer concerning an ongoing investigation."

Police said any resident who gets an unsolicited call asking for money should ask for a call back number no matter what number caller ID says it is coming from. They are then asked to call police or a trusted friend or family member to ask about the source of the number if they believe it is suspicious.

"Scammers like to target the elderly and females," police said.

Police said common scams are:

Those posing as the IRS saying the call recipient will be arrested unless they buy a large number of gift cards and give the number over the phone.

The "Grandparent Scam" where an elderly resident is told a grandchild is in trouble and needs to be bailed out of jail, but not to tell the child's parents.

Fake charities with fake prizes that request a donation to benefit front line workers, veterans or animals to receive the promised "award."

Facebook "get rich" scams.

Fake rentals.

"And probably many more that we have hit our area yet," police said. "Please call the police department if you or someone you know has questions or wants to file a scam report."

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