Art Reed, Chief of Police
401 Main St.
West Newbury, MA 01985
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
Contact: John Guilfoil
Office: 978-769-5193
Email: john@jgpr.net
Contact: Tricia Tiedt
Office: 978-769-5193
Email: tricia@jgpr.net
West Newbury Police Warn Residents of National Grid Scam
WEST NEWBURY — Police Chief Art Reed would like to alert the business community about a recent National Grid scam and remind proprietors to never give into threats made over the telephone by people pretending to be working for a utility company.
The West Newbury Police Department has received a report of a person, representing himself as an employee of National Grid, calling business owners to notify them that their power will be shut off within a few minutes if payment is not received via a Money Gram or wire transfer.
Unfortunately, a business owner paid nearly $500 via Money Gram to the scammer.
Scammers and con artists ask for payment via wire transfer or through pre-paid debit cards, because the money is transferred instantly and irrecoverably. If a victim gives away a pre-paid debit card number or makes a wire transfer, the money is gone and lost forever. There is usually no way to recover those funds.
“Though the threats seem frightening when scammers call and threaten to disrupt the work day, it is best not to respond and simply hang up the phone,” Chief Reed said. “These calls are usually intimidating, but they carry no validity. Hang up and report the call to the police immediately. Most importantly, do not send money to anyone you do not know.”
Other characteristics of these types of scams include:
- Scammers generally use common names and surnames to identify themselves.
- Scammers may be able to recite the last four digits of a victim’s Social Security Number.
- Scammers spoof the National Grid number on caller ID to make it appear that it’s legitimate.
- Victims hear background noise of other calls being conducted to mimic a call site.
National Grid has released a statement saying customers should never make payment via gift card, pre-paid card, or money order.
The incident is under investigation.
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