Fraud and Scams | Duxbury Police Department

Identity Theft

Are you visiting this page because you are a victim of identity theft? If so, you need to act now! Yes, now! Follow these steps immediately to start the recovery process and report your situation.

General Fraud and Scams

Do you believe you are being, or have been conned? If so, please contact your local police department as soon as possible. The Duxbury Police Department has fraud and scam information pamphlets available at the police station, along with report forms and other resources to help with your particular situation.

Do not be embarrassed if you fell victim to a fraud or scam! If you report your misfortune, you may prevent others from meeting the same fate.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Resources

There are a variety of resources available to assist in helping spread awareness and knowledge when it comes to fraud and scams. The FTC is responsible for protectecting consumers by preventing anticompetitive, deceptive, and unfair business practices. Click here for the FTC Consumer Information website. On that page, you may sign-up for scam alerts, file a complaint, register for the do not call list, report identity theft, etc. For more, view some of the FTC's helpful video and media. These video's contain tips and information on the latest scams, how to file a complaint, and much more.

Don't Be Conned - Duxbury Police Department's Tips

Many of us are not used to making decisions about home repairs, insurance policies or investments. We are bombarded by calls from people claiming to be for a good cause or someone using high-pressure tactics to sell a bargain item. If we are not careful we may reveal facts about ourselves, which allow con artists to clean out our bank accounts and use our credit card numbers. Con artists are experts in human psychology and behavior. They are self-assured and are smooth talkers. Their games are often hard to detect, but you can protect yourself:

Look out for someone claiming to be the IRS, a FBI agent, bank examiner, police officer or bank employee, wanting you to withdraw money to assist in an investigation. You are being swindled!
Don’t do business with someone who has to go door-to-door to solicit business. Reputable companies have enough to do without having to solicit customers. Remember to get recommendations from friends, family and others you trust about reputable contractors you can use. Get several estimates, and then compare the prices and terms of the estimates. When you hire a contractor, obtain a written guarantee. Never pay for a job in advance! Make arrangements to pay in installments and then only for the amount of work completed.
Be suspicious of high-pressure sales tactics.
Never trust anyone who tells you "buy now or the deal is off."
Be cautious of anyone who wants you to invest in a promising company. Often the company quietly closes and you lose.
Make sure any donation you make is well spent. Pick a favorite charity or two, then check them out completely. Don’t be pressured or shamed into donating to groups you don’t know about. Many swindlers come up with false charities with names similar to legitimate groups.
Beware of someone who befriends you then asks you to put up "good faith" money in order to share in unexpectedly found money or valuables.
Never give out social security or credit card numbers over the phone.
Requesting payment in the form of a gift card is a big red flag it is a scam.