Please spread the word throughout our community, particularly to our senior citizens who are frequent targets of phone scams: A recent phone scam was reported today where the criminal(s) used the Tyngsborough Police Department phone number (called spoofing), in this case they used the name of Chief Howe. They accused this individual of dealing in drugs and attempted to get his social security number and other personal information. The victim in this case initially felt at ease because his caller ID showed the number of the Tyngsborough Police Department (ALL PHONE NUMBERS CAN BE SPOOFED). In this case the individual was familiar with the Chief, and knew that this was not the person they were speaking to, and ultimately did not provide his personal information.
- ALL NUMBERS CAN BE SPOOFED (DO NOT TRUST IT, HANG UP AND CALL THE AGENCY DIRECTLY)
- NEVER GIVE PERSONAL INFORMATION OVER THE PHONE
- WHEN IN DOUBT, HANG UP