Last Updated on February 14, 2018
The elderly are frequent targets of telemarketing frauds and sweepstakes scams. This type of fraud can include identity theft, fake check and wire transfer scams, investment and credit card fraud, and bogus online charitable solicitations.
Your Charlestown Community has had several recent incidents of these attempted crimes. Fortunately, the would-be thieves were unsuccessful! You are encouraged to report suspicious activities to the Security and Emergency Services Dispatch Center 24/7/365. An Officer will take the report and we can block the suspicious number communitywide. We also follow-up with local, State and Federal law enforcement and related agencies.
Some helpful tips for you:
*It’s shrewd, not rude to hang up on a suspicious caller.
*Do NOT give personal information to people you don’t know, unless you initiated the call.
*Don’t let yourself get pressured into a verbal agreement or signing a contract.
*Be skeptical of online charitable solicitations, insurance claim payments, sweepstakes/ lottery winnings, or unusually low-cost purchase offers. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is!
*Never agree to pay for unsolicited products or services in advance.
*For reporting purposes, record as much information about the caller as you can:
>Call-back number
>Date/time of the call(s)
>Individual’s name
>Company name
>Specific information about the offer
Source: FBI, Bureau of Justice Assistance, and the National Crime Prevention Council