Contact: Beth Stone 508-584-8120
BROCKTON – As we continue to work through these challenging times, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz is warning residents to be cautious and wary of potential scams.
“Coronavirus and social distancing are not going to stop those determined to take advantage of unsuspecting victims out to steal a person’s vital personal and financial information,” DA Cruz said. “During this pandemic, we are all working daily to stay healthy and safe, and we need to practice this same vigilance every time we pick up the phone and while operating online.”
Rockland Police and other South Shore police departments have warned their community about a scam targeting seniors. The caller alarms the resident that a grandchild has been arrested out-of-state and the resident needs to send bail money immediately. Scammers call back several times and occasionally act as the grandchild’s attorney, offering to send a courier to pick up the bail money.
The Massachusetts Senior Medicare Patrol Program recently alerted seniors to fraudulent offers for COVID-19 testing. A person should never accept any form of testing from anyone other than a treating, licensed physician. Residents should not partake in any COVID-19 testing from door-to-door solicitors, people who approach them in public, or solicitors who call requesting financial information in return for a test.
Additionally, residents should keep an eye out for unauthorized or fraudulent charities or solicitations and get confirmation that the charity is legitimate before donating. They should also beware of false and misleading information about the state of Coronavirus being shared online. Refer to reputable sources such as the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for updates and information.
Residents should use extreme caution when relinquishing their personal or financial information over the phone or online, and anyone who believes that they may have been scammed or that their information was compromised should contact their local police departments. There is also information contained on our website at PLYMOUTHDA.COM.