Scam Alert: Woburn Warns Of Scammer Impersonating Senior Center

WOBURN, MA — Woburn warned of a scammer impersonating the Woburn Senior Center Wednesday.

A Woburn senior reported getting a call from someone posing as a Senior Center staff member Wednesday. The scammer said the senior's television service would be cancelled if she didn't pay $499, the city said.

"These thieves are “shadowing” the main number for the Woburn Senior Center, 781-897-5960, to make their scam seem legitimate," the city said. "This is a scam. If you receive one of these calls, hang up immediately."

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No city department or agency, including the Council on Aging, would ever call a senior to request financial information or demand payment, the city said.

The city offered the following tips for avoiding getting scammed:

• "A government agency or legitimate business will never ask you to pay a fee or a fine using a third-party form of payment, such as a gift card.
• Never give money or personal information to someone with whom you don’t have ties and did not initiate contact.
• Scammers count on your lack of knowledge, so take the time to educate yourself about any offer you receive.
• Trust your instincts. If an unknown caller makes you uncomfortable or says things that don’t sound right or sound too good to be true, hang up.
• Always be suspicious of unsolicited phone calls."

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.