Residents Warned Of Scam Involving Newton Police

NEWTON, MA — Mayor Ruthanne Fuller is warning residents of a “creepy” scam involving the Newton Police Department.

Newton police said the department recently took a report of a telephone scam where the male caller identified himself as a “Newton PD Lieutenant from the Tax and Fraud Department.”

The scammer then informed the caller they were being audited and instructed them to purchase gift cards and provide him with the barcode and banking information to help them “sort it out.”

The caller identification showed the incoming number as 617-796-2100, which is the real NPD main number, according to the report.

"Please know that gift cards can never be used to pay fees, fines or bail, and that our Newton Police Department would not call making such requests,” said Fuller in a community update Thursday.

"Be aware that scammers can “spoof” or make incoming calls appear to be from other phone numbers,” she continued.

Residents with doubts about a caller’s motivation or identity are asked to hang up right away and call Newton police.