Barnstable Police Warn Of Scams Costing Cape Cod Residents Money

BARNSTABLE, MA — Barnstable police have noticed an uptick in two types of scams that have impacted local residents.

In the first instance, citizens outside of the state have responded to job postings listed on LinkedIn.com. Those job advertisements are for a remote transcriptionist position for state employers.

Victims completed an interview questionnaire before receiving what appeared to be an employment agreement. Once the victims signed the employment agreement, the "malicious actor" would send the victim a counterfeit check for $3,000 to $5,000 via email with instructions to deposit the check into their personal bank account, officials said.

The victim would then purchase assorted gift cards to businesses like iTunes, Amex or Google Play and send the card information back before the check deposit fully cleared.

In another, people are receiving calls from what they believe is Barnstable District Court, stating that they were listed as a character witness on a case and did not appear and would face a $1,500 fine for their absence, police said.

The caller was requesting payment over the phone. When the victim mentioned that they are getting a lawyer the caller hung up.