Elderly Hingham Resident Targeted by Phone Scam

An 81-year-old Hingham resident was recently contacted by a caller regarding a fraudulent credit issue. The resident did not lose any money in this case, but the Hingham Police Department is warning residents to be vigilant.

According to Hingham Police, the scam is executed as follows: "The scam works when the caller tells the "victim" that they are being sued by a company, such as a specific cell phone carrier, for ending a contact early or not paying the final bill. The caller offers to help avoid a legal suit by accepting payment to settle potential lawsuit. 
If the "victim" indicates they never had a contract with that company, the caller suggests that they may already be the victim of identity theft and should act immediately by first paying the company the money "owed" and then reporting the identity theft to the local police."

Officers called the number provided by the resident, 313-334-3113, and reached a company called United Fraud Protection Group or United Fraud Prevention. 

The Better Business Bureau has released a warning about the company.