Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Warns of Telephone Scam

 The following information was provided by the Middlesex Sheriff's Department:

The Middlesex Sheriff’s Office is warning citizens of a telephone scam involving individuals claiming to be Sheriff's Office employees, according to a release from Middlsex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian.

“We want citizens to be aware of this scam so they can properly protect themselves,” Koutoujian said.

The Office has been notified of two scam calls, received by one resident of Somerville and one of Millis, according to the release.

According to one resident who received a call, a man phoned and identified himself as a Middlesex Sheriff’s Office employee, claiming he was collecting on an outstanding loan, and demanded the resident’s bank and credit card information, threatening to place him under arrest if he did not comply. 

The resident immediately contacted the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office to report the call.

“These are not legitimate calls,” Koutoujian said.  “Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Deputies will never demand money over the phone and all arrests are performed in person.”

The second incident also included a demand for payment for an outstanding loan, according to the release.

In this incident, the victim wired several hundred dollars to an account before contacting authorities.

The Middlesex Sheriff’s Office is advising  citizens who receive similar calls that they should not give any personal information to the caller and should immediately report the call to their local police department. 

Contact the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Investigation Unit at 978-932-3104.