Hingham Police Warn of Scammers After 92-Year-Old Falls Victim to Phone Scam

After an elderly resident fell victim to a phone scam, the Hingham Police Department is reminding residents to use caution when it comes to personal information.

The woman, a 92-year-old resident, told police she received almost ten calls from the same man in a short time frame who claimed he had money to send her. The scammer insisted he needed her saving bank information and social security information in order to send the money.

After several calls, she eventually gave the scammer this information over the phone because she believed it was legitimate. During the last call, a relative was home, answered the phone, and the scammer immediately hung up.

The resident notified her banks, credit reporting agencies and Social Security Administration. She asked them to put a hold on any new passwords, address changes or transactions.

Information such as social security numbers and banking information, is frequently sought by scammers to use in both identity theft and stealing the victim’s money.