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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

  • Congratulations to D.A.R.E Officer Jason Skane https://t.co/w6WXo9SYOv December 13, 2019 6:40 pm
  • #ScamAlert If someone calls you on the phone and demands payment via gift cards, it's probably a scam. Reputable bu… https://t.co/QdhvyyNQQr December 11, 2019 5:02 pm
  • #PressRelease Essex Tech Teacher Arrested for Sexually Assaulting a Student See attached image for full text of rel… https://t.co/e2B3KoPHIQ November 20, 2019 10:03 pm
  • Follow @DanversPolice

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1:00 pm Firearms Licensing @ Danvers Police Department
Firearms Licensing @ Danvers Police Department
Jan 2 @ 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Firearms licensing for NEW APPLICANTS will be conducted between the hours of 1pm and 4:00pm. Firearms applicants may come to the police station for licensing at any time during the posted hours of a licensing[...]
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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.

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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.

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