All of us have likely been targeted by some less-than-ethical scammers who would be only so happy to relieve us of our money. They are sophisticated in their tactics to trick, coerce, and convince us to believe them. Sometimes it is very difficult to discern what is real.

To assist all of us, the FBCOA and COA will co-sponsor a program at the COA presented by The Cambridge Savings Bank

“How to Avoid a Scam” – Thursday, April 13 – 10:30 am

“Wow, that sounds like a great deal!” But is it a great deal that is too great to be real? Join us on Thursday, April 13th at 10:30 to learn about some of the ways scammers will try to get your money. Co-sponsored by the FBCOA and the COA, a representative from Cambridge Savings Bank will join us and walk us through some of the many ways scammers will try to trick, coerce, and convince us to believe them. Arm yourself with some essential knowledge and avoid losing your money.

Perhaps by coincidence, I noticed the following post last week in The Lexington Observer:

The following incidents, selected from the Lexington Police Department logs, occurred during the week prior to Feb. 26.

Friday, Feb. 24 at 5:10 p.m., a resident called the station to report being the victim of a telephone scam. She reported that she was contacted by someone posing as a Customs and Border Protection agent stating that a package in her name was sent from Mexico. This resident stated that she did not have any packages coming from Mexico. Then she was directed to speak with a person posing as a U.S. Marshal. She was then directed to withdraw cash and send it to a Bitcoin wallet in order to secure her money since her identity was now compromised. She reports losing $40,000 as a result of this scam.

Friday, Feb. 24 at 4:30 p.m., a South Commons in Lincoln resident called to report fraudulent checks passed on his firm’s bank account. He was contacted by Bank of America and informed that a check from his account was deposited into an unknown account, and the bank flagged the check. He provided two additional checks that were used with all his account information on them but were not checks that he uses. An unknown person bought checks with his account information and deposited $49,510 out of his business account. The Bank of America fraud division is investigating the circumstances and said his account would be reimbursed within six to eight weeks.

Let’s do everything we can to avoid being on the Bedford Police Department Log! Mark your calendar and attend this important program.

Sign up starts April 1 at 9 AM, Call the Bedford COA and register — 781 275-6825.
Bedford COA, 12 Mudge Way, Bedford MA.