Massachusetts State Police warn residents of phone scheme

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Massachusetts State Police are warning the public about an ongoing phone scheme where the caller is impersonating the force.

The state police have issued a public advisory warning us of a scheme targeting people in Massachusetts with phone numbers and caller IDs posing as state police. They say schemers are making calls that seem to come from the state police number and are recognized as such on caller ID and are asking for money or hanging up as soon as the call is answered. They’re warning everyone that they’re not doing any fundraisers and they never do any soliciting over the phone.

If you get a call from someone claiming to be from the state police, or associated with them and asking for donations, you should hang up, and not provide any information. Better yet, don’t answer at all.

Phone schemers like these often call lists of numbers looking for people that pick up, which identifies you as an active line and potential victim. You don’t have to worry about missing a legitimate call from the state police, they never solicit over the phone for any reason. If they need to find you or contact you, they have other methods.

If you have any questions that it may be a real charity you are interested in supporting, first check with the Massachusetts Secretary of State’s Corporation Division at (617)727-9640 to make sure that the organization is legitimate.

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Duncan MacLean is a reporter who has been a part of the 22News team since 2019. Follow Duncan on X @DMacLeanWWLP and view his bio to see more of his work.

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