Beware: Fraudulent "Somerville Police Department Charity" phone calls!

[craigindaville.livejournal.com]

Just an FYI and warning to all, we got a call today from someone claiming to be with the SPD asking whether we were interested in joining in their fundraiser. Apparently, we were supposed to write a check, and they would come pick it up. Our bull-sh*t detector went way off the charts, and we told them no way, but decided to email our alderman to give him the heads-up.

He got back to us right away and said that he also got the call, and checked it out with the SPD, who said it wasn't them. So, since I haven't seen anything about this in the Journal or "News", I thought I'd at least put it out on the wire here. FYI, the call shows up on caller ID as "Unknown" which was our first tip-off that it wasn't legitimate.

PS- I'm not sure how to tag this, suggestions welcome!

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/_mattt/]

I think it is far more likely that your Alderman is simply mistaken or there is some miscommunication.

A major clue would have been who the caller requested that the check be made out to. Without this crucial information, you are simply describing the exact same method that the SPD uses for their fundraiser. And they were calling last week.

Still, I do believe it is important to be vigilant, and appreciate your notice. It is important to protect against a fraudulent police fundraiser, although I must say, that would be an extremely brazen scam (scamming the SPD?).

[craigindaville.livejournal.com]

True. I didn't get as far as "who should I make that check out to?" because it was all fishy to me and I generally am in a bad mood when telemarketers of any kind call (I only answer to tell them to take me off their list). Of course, in hindsight, I had all sorts of clever questions in my head to find out how legit it was, but nothing came out at the time.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_mattt/]

Well, the SPD does use this very sketchy approach. I always guessed it hasn't changed from decades ago when it was a different time and it wouldn't be viewed as sketchy. And I agree with those who find it aggressive and annoying as well as doubt the need.