Last Updated on June 10, 2025
Scam Warning
The FBI told 60 Minutes on June 1st that all of our personal information – name, address,
Social Security Number, etc. – is available on the dark web, where fraudsters buy, sell and trade stolen information and illicit goods online. Nation states and criminal gangs are using our personal information for fraud. For example: victims of the Palisades fire near LA have had their identities stolen by fraudsters to collect relief funds.
Many of us at Charlestown have fallen victim to fraud, identity theft and scams. Most of us are receiving texts, emails, phone calls and mail intended to steal our money.
Here’s what we can do:
Assume that every text, email and phone call you receive is attempted fraud, even if it seems to come from family, friends and acquaintances.
Never respond to links, phone numbers or email addresses in messages received.
Only communicate through websites, phone numbers and email addresses of known and trusted family, friends, associates, government agencies and businesses.
Demands for immediate or emergency contact or payment are almost always fraudulent.
Examples of scams currently used by fraudsters:
Amazon, FedEx, UPSAn uninterruptible power supply or uninterruptible power source (UPS) is an electrical apparatus that provides emergency power to a load when the input power source fails. It is supposed to kick in when there is a power outage. A UPS is typically used to protect hardware such as computers, data cent... READ MORE and Postal delivery fee demands Tax relief help
Smart Pass, e.g. EZPass Maryland toll pass payment demands Work from home “opportunities”
Emergency need for wired funds requests from people we know Department of Motor Vehicles demand for past due ticket payment Bank or credit card “notification” of fraudulent use of your account
These are just a few of the recent scams out there
When in doubt, consult Security and someone you trust before responding to questionable messages. Consider freezing your credit so that a major purchase in your name cannot be made without your knowledge.