Scam Alert from the Cambridge Police Department

Scam Alert from the Cambridge Police Department

The Cambridge Police Department (CPD) would like to alert the community of a phone scam that involves someone calling the public impersonating Cambridge Police. The caller claims they are a Cambridge Police Captain, which is not a rank at CPD, and advises the person on the phone they missed jury duty and could go to jail if they don’t pay a large sum of money. The caller then gives instructions to deposit the funds at a specific location and deliver the receipt to CPD after the transaction is completed. The victims also reported hearing a siren and police radio noise in the background which made the call sound more legitimate.

As a reminder, a police department or law enforcement agency will never call a resident and ask for their personal or financial information or instruct someone to make a payment.

The Cambridge Police Department encourages you to follow these safety tips:

• Never give out personal information over the phone, online or in-person unless you are positive you are speaking to the company or entity you are expecting, or if you initiated the contact.
• If you have doubts about a phone call or communication you received, contact the company or organization who “allegedly” contacted you directly.
• Read the Cambridge Police Department’s Crime Prevention and Safety Tips here. 

Anyone with any information related to these incidents is strongly encouraged to call Cambridge Police at 617-349-3300. Those who wish to provide information anonymously may dial the Cambridge Police Anonymous Crime Tip Hotline at 617-349-9151 and leave a message. Anonymous tips may also be sent via the Cambridge Police MyPD mobile app or via text message to 847411. Begin your text with TIP650 and then type your message. To send tips via email, visit www.CambridgePolice.org/tips.