By Chief Steven J. Wojnar
Dudley Police Department A variety of financial “scams” continue. Tax season recently ended and people may have additional concerns if they receive calls involving their financial information. I wanted to remind every in Town to protect their personal information. As has been mentioned, telephone, internet, and mail scams have been occurring for many years. With advances in technology, these occur with greater frequency. Those responsible prey on unsuspecting individuals and obtain either quick cash or other personal data, such as bank account numbers. A person was recently was contacted and told their social security number had been compromised and an arrest warrant existed for them.They were told they would need to correct this immediately and provide financial information, or the local authorities would be by to arrest them. The scammers in these instances often have some basic information about their target and will be very persistent. Some people have fallen victim to these scams. Should you be contacted, the Social Security Office or your bank can be your best resource. The government rarely, if ever, conducts business over the phone. Police departments would not call in these instances and tell you of a warrant’s existence; especially if they can simply go see you in person. If there are tax questions, and you have your taxes prepared by a professional, they should also be able to assist you. You can also seek assistance through your bank, credit card companies, or other agencies you do business with to determine your best course of action. Identity protection services can also help bring you peace of mind if that is the way you wish to proceed. These can play a vital role in safeguarding your identity by notifying you of attempts to access your personal information. |
The important thing to remember is do not conduct business transactions unless you are sure of the people and places you are dealing with. If you are not expecting something (money or other items), there is a strong likelihood that the offer is not legitimate. If someone you know is possibly in trouble, try to verify the story with family, friends, or even the police. Be very cognizant of these scam possibilities and report these immediately to the police and or your bank. Be very protective of your personal information. When in doubt, ask a question of the proper authorities and avoid becoming a victim.
Thanks again for your questions and comments. Please send them to me at the Dudley Police Department 71 West Main St. Dudley, Ma. 01571 or email at swojnar@dudleypolice.com. Opinions expressed in this weekly column are those of Chief Wojnar only and unless clearly noted, do not reflect the ideas or opinions of any other organization or citizen. |
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