Phone scam alert: Middlesex Sheriff's Office reports 59 complaints in June alone
The office's Inner Perimeter Security team said it received 59 complaints of scammers posing as officers or deputies during June, marking the highest number of such reports in a single month, according to a community announcement. One individual reported losing more than $1,700.
These scams are persistent and widespread, with fraudsters often threatening arrest for failing to pay taxes or fines, missing jury duty or not participating in court hearings, according to the announcement. They may also target professionals by threatening to revoke licenses.
Scammers typically pressure their targets to pay fines immediately using cryptocurrency, gift cards or wire transfers, according to the announcement. They often use real officers' names, spoof law enforcement phone numbers or direct victims to law enforcement addresses to lend authenticity to their fraud.
Waltham rewind: Sheriff Peter Koutoujian on his dad's Uncle Sam outfit
'If you receive one of these messages, please know that no legitimate law enforcement agency will ever threaten arrest over the phone, via text or email, or demand you pay a fine using one of these means,' said Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian, in a statement. 'These are tell-tale signs of a scam. If you receive one of these calls or messages, disconnect right away, don't click on any links and never provide any personal or financial information.'
Besides notifying law enforcement, individuals can report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov, according to the announcement.
The FTC received more than 5,900 reports of government imposter scams from Massachusetts residents in 2024, resulting in more than $9.5 million in losses. In the first quarter of 2025, the FTC has already received 1,530 such reports, with residents losing nearly $2.5 million.
This story was created by reporter Beth McDermott, bmcdermott1@gannett.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Scammers posing as deputies? Middlesex County residents urged beware
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