Framingham Police Help Prevent ‘Family Member’ Scam

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FRAMINGHAM – Framingham Police helped an individual not be a victim to a popular scam.

Police were called to the Greatful Head Shop at 225 Worcester Road at 11:53 a.m., according to the public police log.

Framingham Police spokesperson Lt. Rachel Mickens said this was for a “scam call claiming to have a family member captive and asking for payment for release.”

Framingham Police said they “were contacted and able to help confirm this was a scam.  No payment was made,” said Lt. Mickens.

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Typically in this type of scam, someone calls or contacts you saying they’re a family member or close friend. They say they need money to get out of trouble. But check that there’s an emergency first because it could be a scammer calling, according to Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Division.

The scammer “may already know a lot about you or the person they’re pretending to be. They may know your name, where you live, and other information they could have found on social media sites or by hacking a family member’s email. And sometimes they simply guess. But they always say you have to pay right away by wiring money, sending a money order, or paying with gift cards, reloadable cards, or cryptocurrency,” said the federal agency.

Example of these types of scams:

• The scammers usually involve an “authority figure,” like a fake lawyer, police officer, or doctor. They think it makes them sound more convincing, and it scares you.
• The scammers say it’s urgent and that you’re the only one who can help.
• They tell you it’s important to keep it secret. They tell you that because they don’t want you talking to other family members and friends and realizing it’s a scam.

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“Scammers play with your emotions. They’re counting on you to act quickly to help your family or friends. And they’re counting on you to pay without stopping to check out whether there’s really an emergency. If you get a call like this, you can be sure this is a scam,” said the Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Division

What To Do If You Get a Call About a Family Emergency

If someone calls or sends a message claiming to be a family member or a friend desperate for money, here’s what to do:

• Resist the pressure to send money immediately. Hang up.

Then:

• Call or message the family member or friend who (supposedly) contacted you. Call them at a phone number that you know is right, not the one someone just used to contact you. Check if they’re really in trouble.
• Call someone else in your family or circle of friends, even if the caller said to keep it a secret. Do that especially if you can’t reach the friend or family member who’s supposed to be in trouble. A trusted person can help you figure out whether the story is true.
• Contact local police.

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