Danvers Police Department

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • About Us
    • History
    • Accreditation
  • Chief of Police
  • Forms
  • Resources
    • Animal Control
    • Annual Crime Reports
    • Child Safety Tips
    • Crime Prevention Tips
      • Common Scams
      • Domestic Violence and Abuse Resources
      • Identify Theft
      • Terrorism and Homeland Security
    • Danvers Police TV Show
    • Firearms Licensing
    • Professional Investigations Standards
  • Contact Us
    • Department Directory by Name
    • Contacts by Topic
    • Text A Tip
  • Calendar
  • DPD News Blog
  • April 18, 2018
You are here: Home / Resources / Common Scams

Common Scams

Con Games and Scams are prevalent in Danvers.  These cases include an elderly victim wiring over $300,000 in cash to an unknown person because she believed she had won a two million dollar sweepstakes prize and had to pay the taxes up front.  Multiple businesses reported their email servers being hacked and emails being sent either requesting wire transfers or notifying customers that their bank accounts had changed.  Descriptions of some of the most common scams that request wire transfers or the purchase of prepaid debit cards or gift cards are detailed below.

Scam Type Details
IRS Scam The Internal Revenue Service has demanded immediate payment for back taxes.  They threaten an arrest warrant will be issued.
Utility Scam Similar to the IRS scam, except it is a gas or electric company claiming to shut your heat or power off if payment is not made immediately over the phone.
Bail Bond Scam (aka Grandparent scam) You have been told a family member has been in an accident or arrested, is in jail and they need you to send money for bail, lawyer fees or other damages.  Often, the arrest or accident reportedly happened outside of the country.
Kidnapping/Ransom scam Similar to the bail bond scam, except that the family member has been kidnapped or held hostage after an accident or some type of property damage.
Sweepstakes/Lottery You won a contest, sweepstakes or lottery and must send money up front to pay the taxes or to claim your prize.
Tech Support You have been told that your computer is broken, hacked or has a virus and you are asked to send money so it can be repaired.  Some more advanced ones appear that your computer has been “taken over” by the FBI.
Internet Sale or Online Job You were selling something on the internet, or recently started a “secret shopper” or work from home job and received a check for too much money.  You were     instructed to deposit the check and wire the extra back.

 

The Danvers Police Department routinely posts crime prevention tips and scam alerts to our social media platforms.   Recognizing that many elderly, who are targets of these scams, may not utilize social media, the Department created the signage to the left.  The posters were placed at banks and retail establishments throughout town to alert would be victims that they may be falling for a scam.

Danvers Police On Twitter

  • Officers Clarizia, Colella, MacDonald and Lima representing the department at today's services for @yarmouthpolice… https://t.co/p3cyNmBa0i About an hour ago
  • Make sure your child is riding safe at our 4th Annual Car Seat Safety Check. Certified car seat safety technicians… https://t.co/lLaXFtnwD2 April 14, 2018 1:37 am
  • Yesterday, students at @HRMSHawks1 graduated from the DARE program. Thanks to @CFC_CherryFarm for their continued s… https://t.co/4NABCRZ4pw April 13, 2018 3:25 pm
  • Follow @DanversPolice

Upcoming Events

Apr
25
Wed
5:30 pm Firearms Licensing @ Danvers Police Department
Firearms Licensing @ Danvers Police Department
Apr 25 @ 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Firearms licensing for NEW APPLICANTS will be conducted between the hours of 5:30pm and 9:00pm. Firearms applicants may come to the police station for licensing at any time during the posted hours of a licensing[...]
May
12
Sat
10:00 am Firearms Licensing @ Danvers Police Department
Firearms Licensing @ Danvers Police Department
May 12 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Firearms licensing for NEW APPLICANTS will be conducted between the hours of 10:00am and 2:00pm. Firearms applicants may come to the police station for licensing at any time during the posted hours of a licensing day[...]
May
23
Wed
5:30 pm Firearms Licensing @ Danvers Police Department
Firearms Licensing @ Danvers Police Department
May 23 @ 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Firearms licensing for NEW APPLICANTS will be conducted between the hours of 5:30pm and 9:00pm. Firearms applicants may come to the police station for licensing at any time during the posted hours of a licensing[...]
View Calendar
Add
  • Add to Timely Calendar
  • Add to Google
  • Add to Outlook
  • Add to Apple Calendar
  • Add to other calendar
  • Export to XML

Recent Posts

  • Mock Accident
  • Danvers Offers R.A.D. Self Defense Class
  • Shots Fired Call on Congress Ave
  • Citizens Police Academy
  • Stabbing at Rodeway Inn

NEMLEC Member Department

NEMLEC

Community Information

  • View Town Bylaws
  • Most Wanted List
    Massachusetts Sex Offender Database (external)
  • Massachusetts Most Wanted (external)
  • Massachusetts General Laws(external, searchable)

The Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) meets the third Wednesday of every month at 4:00 p.m. in the Board of Selectman's Room at Town Hall. Members of the public are welcome.

Danvers Police Department Patch

Danvers Police Department

Always on Duty

Chief Patrick M. Ambrose

120 Ash Street
Danvers, MA 01923

Business: 978-774-1213 ext. 113
Emergency: 911 in town or
978-774-1212 from out of town

The Email addresses listed below are not monitored 24/7 and should never be used to report an emergency. In an emergency, always dial 911.
General Email: police@danversma.gov
This Email address should not be utilized to report or request time sensitive information, or public records requests.

Public Records Requests: dpdrecords@danversma.gov
If requesting public records, please allow at least 2 business days for an initial response.

Text A Tip

Danvers Police Department Text A Tip
Copyright © 2018 Danvers Police Department · Site Design by JGPR