A neighborhood senior citizen misplaced practically $10,000 in a phony police rip-off, as actual police warn residents that “Caller ID can be spoofed.”
A 65-year-old Hingham girl reportedly fell sufferer to a rip-off, because the swindler’s Caller ID was spoofed to show the Hingham Police enterprise telephone quantity. She ended up dropping $9,500 that she despatched to the grifter by way of Bitcoin, police mentioned.
Final week, the girl acquired a name that had a Caller ID displaying the Hingham Police enterprise telephone quantity (781-749-1212). The caller mentioned he was a Hingham cop, and instructed the girl she failed to look in court docket on a federal summons.
The scammer, who spoke with a southern accent, mentioned she wanted to pay cash instantly to keep away from having the police come to her dwelling and arrest her. The caller mentioned she owed $9,500, and he or she needed to pay it in Bitcoin. The swindler additionally instructed her to remain on the telephone till she accomplished the transaction.
She then went to her financial institution, the place she withdrew the money after which went to a Bitcoin ATM machine contained in the native Cease & Store. She deposited the money into the ATM to buy the Bitcoin.
The scammer then gave her account numbers, which the caller mentioned belonged to Hingham Police. As soon as the transaction was full, they ended the decision.
Then a short while later, the scammer known as again and mentioned they discovered an extra federal cost. The swindler demanded for her to ship one other $9,500, or she could be arrested.
She realized she was being scammed and hung up earlier than driving to the police station.
“Remember, Caller ID can be spoofed to display any name or number,” Hingham Police posted. “The police won’t ever name you to warn you about an arrest or threaten you with being arrested.
“The police will never ask, demand or collect money,” police added. “As in most phone scams, the caller wants you to stay on the phone with them (sometimes for hours) until the money is actually sent. This is to keep you isolated to prevent you from calling someone or checking to see if the call is legitimate.”
Police additionally reminded residents that they will all the time cling up on anybody who calls them unsolicited.
