Arlington Police, Department of Health and Human Services Share Safety Precautions Following Reports of Phone Scams

ARLINGTON — Chief Julie Flaherty and Department of Health and Human Services Director Christine Bongiorno wish to share guidance with residents following multiple reports of phone scams. 

Recently, a senior resident reported to the police department that he received a call from someone posing as a representative from the Arlington Department of Health and Human Services looking for personal information, including his social security number.

The department has also recently received reports of phone scams in which the caller is spoofing the police department’s business line and asking for financial donations. Spoofing is when a person intentionally changes the phone number that appears on your caller ID to something other than their own phone number. 

Arlington officials remind residents that they should NEVER give personal information, social security numbers or credit card numbers to people who call their homes or cell phones unsolicited.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) offers the following tips to help people avoid spoofing: 

• If you get an inquiry from someone who says they represent a company or government agency, hang up and call the phone number on the company’s or government agency’s website to verify the authenticity of the call. Report anyone claiming to be a government worker to police.
• Monitor incoming calls. Do not pick up unknown numbers or random calls. If a call is important, the caller will leave a message.
• Know that even “local” numbers on caller ID may not be from a local caller.
• If you answer the phone and the caller – or a recording – asks you to hit a button to stop getting the calls, you should hang up. Scammers often use this trick to identify potential targets.
• Do not respond to any questions, especially those that can be answered with “Yes” or “No.”
• Never give out personal information such as account numbers, social security numbers, mother’s maiden names, passwords or other identifying information in response to unexpected calls or if you are at all suspicious.
• Use caution if you are being pressured for information immediately.

Anyone who has questions or feels as if they may have fallen victim to a scam is encouraged to call the Arlington Police Department at 781-643-1212.

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