The Middlesex County D.A.’s Office and the Somerville Police urge residents to read the following scam alert. Please also share and “like” this
post so that more people will see it. On Tues., Mar. 4, a 90-year-old Somerville woman became the victim of a “Grandparent Scam,” in which she willingly provided funds to an unknown caller posing as an out-of-state attorney. She was told her “grandson,” who they identified by name, had been arrested in the actual state where he resides on DUI charges and was asked to wire cash on two separate occasions for her “grandson’s” bail and legal needs. After asking to speak with her grandson, she was given the opportunity to say “hello” (but only hello), and heard a voice that she believed to be the voice of her grandson. When she was able to make contact with other family members after wiring the money, she found her actual grandson to be fine, and then reported the incident to the D.A.’s Office. It is currently under investigation. According to the D.A., there have been several similar scams in recent months elsewhere in the state, and almost always more than one call is made. Residents are reminded to NEVER give out personal information via telephone, and to be on alert for similar scams. If you believe you have been the victim of a scam, please contact the Somerville Police at 617-625-1600.