Scam Alerts

How to Avoid Scams

Scammers use many tactics to sound and appear credible. They may provide badge numbers and names of actual law enforcement officials or pose as lottery agents. Victims can also be targeted through home improvement or vehicle scams. Here is some important information to help you better protect yourself from scammers.


Flood Cars

Hurricane season is over and the flood waters have receded, leaving damaged property and vehicles in their wake. Sometimes flood-damaged cars and trucks are cleaned up and sold in other states.

How can you avoid buying a "flood car?"
  • Have the vehicle inspected by a trusted mechanic. Have the electrical components tested and check systems that contain fluids for water contamination.
  • Look for water stains, mildew, sand and silt under the carpet, floor mats and dashboard, and in the areas where the spare tire is stored.
  • Look for fogging inside the headlights and taillights.
  • Look for new carpet and upholstery in an older car. It may have been damaged and replaced or the carpet may feel damp to the touch.
  • Trust your nose. The vehicle might smell damp or musty, or it may smell strongly of cleaners and air fresheners used to mask the musty smell.
  • Get a vehicle history report. Understand the difference between a "salvage title" and a "flood title". A "salvage title" means the car was declared a total loss by an insurance company. A "flood title" means the car has damage from sitting in the water deep enough to fill the engines compartment.
If you have a consumer problem or question, contact the Northwestern District Attorney's Consumer Protection Unit:
  • Greenfield - (413) 774-3186
  • Northampton - (413) 586-9225
Working in cooperation with the Office of the MA Attorney General

Avoid Home Improvement Scams

The Northwestern District Attorney's Consumer Protection Unit has put together some great tips to help you avoid home improvement scams:

If you're going to hire a Home Improvement Contractor:
  • Make sure they're registered or licensed with the state by calling 888-283-3757 or checking at The Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation.
  • Make sure the payment schedule is broken into 3 payments: 1/3rd at the start of the project, 1/3rd in the middle, and 1/3rd when the work is complete.
  • Make sure the contractor takes out the building permit in their name.
  • Make sure you check the contractor's references.
  • Make sure you have a written contract.
  • Make sure you have a copy of the contractor's insurance.
  • Make sure you check to be sure there are no complaints against the contractor.
If you have a consumer problem or question, contact the Northwestern District Attorney's Consumer Protection Unit:
  • Greenfield - (413) 774-3186
  • Northampton - (413) 586-9225
Working in cooperation with the Office of the MA Attorney General

U.S. Marshals warn the public of spoofing, by scammers

The U.S. Marshals and the FBI are alerting the public of several nationwide imposter scams involving individuals claiming to be U.S. Marshals, court officers, or other law enforcement officials. They are urging people to report the calls to their Local FBI office and file a consumer complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, which has the ability to detect patterns of fraud from the information collected and share that data with law enforcement.

During these calls, scammers attempt to collect a fine to avoid arrest due to a claim of identity theft, failing to report for jury duty, or other offenses. They then tell victims they can pay the fine to avoid arrest by withdrawing cash and transferring it to the government, purchasing a prepaid debit card such as a Green Dot card or gift card and read the card number over the phone to satisfy the fine, or by depositing cash into bitcoin ATMs.

Scammers use many tactics to sound and appear credible. They sometimes provide information like badge numbers, names of actual law enforcement officials and federal judges, and courthouse addresses. They may also spoof their phone numbers to appear on caller IDs as if they are calling from a government agency or the court.

If you believe you were a victim of such a scam, you are encouraged to report the incident to your local FBI office and to the FTC.

Things to remember:
  • U.S. MARSHALS WILL NEVER ask for credit/debit card/gift card numbers, wire transfers, or bank account numbers, or to make bitcoin deposits for any purpose.
  • NEVER divulge personal or financial information to unknown callers.
  • Report scam phone calls to your local FBI office and to the FTC.
  • You can remain anonymous when you report.
  • Authenticate the call by calling the clerk of the court’s office of the U.S. District Court in your area and verify the court order given by the caller.

Money Wiring

Money wiring scams come in many variations. Scammers like to get paid using wire transfer services because it's fast; the money is often available within minutes, not leaving the consumer time to cancel the transaction once they realize it is a scam. The money is usually picked up in cash and in person making it hard to recover.

Remember:
  • Never wire money to claim a prize
  • Never wire money to someone you don't know

Watch out for these Money Wiring Scams:
  • Lottery & sweepstakes scams
  • Overpayment scams
  • Relationship scams
  • Mystery shopper scams
  • Online purchase scams
  • Apartment rental scams
  • Advance fee loan scams
  • Family emergency or friend-in-need scams
  • IRS scams
If you have a consumer problem or question, contact the Northwestern District Attorney's Consumer Protection Unit:
  • Greenfield - (413) 774-3186
  • Northampton - (413) 586-9225
Working in cooperation with the Office of the MA Attorney General

Three Ways to Avoid COVID Vaccine Scams

While vaccination details are getting worked out, here's what you can be sure of:
  • You can't pay to put your name on a list to get the vaccine. That's a scam.
  • You can't pay to get early access to the vaccine. That's a scam.
  • Nobody legit will call about the vaccine and ask for your Social Security, bank account, or credit card number. That's a scam.
Ignore any vaccine offers that say different or ask for personal or financial information.

Learn more at Scams Consumer Advice