Scam Alert: Woburn Police Warn Of Immigration Scam

WOBURN, MA – Woburn police warned of a recent phone scam spoofing the department's number Wednesday.

The department heard from a resident who was a victim of the scam, they said. The victim's caller ID showed the department's phone number, 781-933-1212, and was told there was a problem with his immigration status.

"The victim was instructed that there were fees that needed to be paid immediately and that gift cards needed to be purchased," the police said. "This is a common scam where immediate payment is demanded in the form of buying gift cards and then providing the numbers on the cards to the scammers."

In other common versions of the scam, the scammer claims there's a warrant for the victim's arrest or an outstanding utility bill.

"Anyone who demands payment immediately and demands payment in the form of gift cards is running a scam," the police said. "Never go to a store and purchase gift cards for any type of payment at the direction of a caller."

The department shared the following "red flags of a scam":

• "Caller is very demanding and requests immediate payments
• Threats of arrest or prosecution if demands of money are not met immediately
• Request/demands to purchase Gift Cards
• Calls, Emails, or Pop Up Messages on your computer saying there is an issue, virus, or hack and requests a phone call to a number
• Calls from an alleged grandchild or lawyer saying the family member is in jail and money is needed immediately
• Any requests for large sums of money by cash or wire transfer with directions of what to tell the bank like "investment opportunity" or "remodeling"
• Request/Demand for payment in Cryptocurrency like Bitcoin or Dogecoin with instructions on how to make this form of payment."

"If something does not feel right during the call it probably isn't right," the department said. "Simply hang up the phone before doing anything and don't answer phone calls from phone numbers you don't recognize.

"Don't be in a rush to make any payment, slow down and think about what is being asked of you. Never give out any personal information or information relating to bank accounts or credit card accounts over the phone. Always feel free to call the police station if you feel you are being contacted by a scammer."