The Boston Police Department has issued a community alert warning residents of a surge in scam artists utilizing courier services to defraud primarily older adults. Scammers, often masquerading as tech support, law enforcement, or bank officials, are convincing victims to hand over cash and valuable metals, supposedly for safekeeping.
In these cons, individuals are led to believe their financial accounts or cards have become compromised. Scammers swiftly transfer calls to their accomplices to further trick their victims. One deceitful method includes having a courier pick up allegedly compromised cards, with victims instructed to first cut the cards — a futile action if the scammer has already obtained card details. Regrettably, this insidious form of fraud has been successful in convincing people to literally hand over their savings.
To combat these scams, the BPD strongly emphasizes that "NO financial institution, tech support service, or government entity will instruct you to liquidate assets." This includes not instructing individuals "to purchase gold, or other precious metals" nor will they "send a courier to your residence or public location to pick up said funds," according to the police department's statement. Citizens are urged to guard against unwarranted solicitations and to verify information through verified, official channels.
Victims who find themselves ensnared by these schemes are advised to promptly file a police report and may also report to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). Remember, it is crucial to not only protect your assets but to also keep vigilant in safeguarding your personal information from unverified sources. It's essential to never download software that might further allow scammers to incredibly access your computer remotely.
In moments where individuals may feel overwhelmed or uncertain, the BPD's guidance remains clear: "If you receive a call, email, text message or respond to a computer pop-up from anyone requesting you to liquidate your assets to protect them – HANG UP, DO NOT RESPOND." For those who have unwittingly fallen prey to these frauds, acting swiftly in reporting the incident can be a step towards resolution and possibly recovering lost funds.
