Sheriff’s Office Warns of Phone Scam

The Middlesex Sheriff’s Office is warning citizens of a telephone scam involving individuals falsely claiming to work for the Office.

“We want citizens to be aware of this scam so they can properly protect themselves,” said Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian.
The Office has been notified of two scam calls. They were received by residents in Somerville and Millis.

According to one resident who received a call Wednesday, a man phoned and identified himself as a Middlesex Sheriff’s Office employee. The caller said he was collecting on an outstanding loan, demanded the resident’s bank and credit card information and threatened 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,” said Sheriff Koutoujian. “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. 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. We also ask that you contact the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Investigation Unit at 978- 932-3104.

– Information from Middlesex Sheriff Peter Koutoujian’s office