Bedford Cops Stop Elderly Resident From Being Scammed; PA Police Continue Investigation

BEDFORD, NH — The immediate action of a Bedford police officer is being praised and highlighted in the war against scammers in New Hampshire.

An elderly resident in town, in their early 80s, was targeted last week by computer fraud involving $17,500. According to police, the resident received an alert on their computer claiming the machine had a virus and contact with a support company was needed. The resident spoke with a company, claiming to be from the support company, who informed them there was child sexual abuse images materials on their computer and they needed to transfer money or there would be legal consequences, according to Bedford Police Chief Daniel Douidi.

“The victim took out approximately $17,500 in cash and mailed the funds to an address in Harleysville, Pennsylvania,” he said. “Bedford police immediately got in contact with the UPS store in Bedford, which got in contact with the UPS location in Harleysville and alerted them of the package. Police also contacted the local police at the Lower Salford Township Police Department.”

The package was intercepted by law enforcement before it was delivered, Douidi said. Lower Salford Township Police, who conduct law enforcement in the community, are continuing the investigation.

“This was a terrible incident in which an elderly resident was taken advantage of, and I am relieved that thanks to the quick thinking of our officers, this resident was able to get their money back,” Douidi said. “I would like to recognize Officer Whitney Mansfield, whose instincts and immediate action ensured that the package could not be delivered. I would also like to thank the Lower Salford Township Police Department for their urgency in intercepting the package.”

Anti-Scam Preventative Measures

Bedford police advised residents to consider the following tips from the Federal Trade Commission to avoid being scammed:

• Scammers pretend to be from an organization you know. They might use a real name, like the Social Security Administration, the IRS, or Medicare, or make up a name that sounds official. Some pretend to be from a business you know, like a utility company, a tech company, or even a charity asking for donations.
• Scammers say there’s a problem or prize. They might say you are in trouble with the government, that you owe money, that someone in your family had an emergency, or that there is a virus on your computer. Some scammers say there is a problem with one of your accounts and that you need to verify some information. Others will lie and say you won money in a lottery or sweepstakes, but have to pay a fee to get it. Scammers will often offer to do work for a specific amount, and then never follow up on the work.
• Scammers pressure you to act immediately. They might tell you not to hang up, so you can’t check out their story. They might threaten to arrest you, sue you, take away your driver’s or business license, or deport you. They might say your computer is about to be corrupted.
• Scammers tell you to pay in a specific way. They often insist that you pay by sending money through a money transfer company or by putting money on a gift card and then giving them the number on the back. Some will send you a check (that will later turn out to be fake), tell you to deposit it, and then send them money.

Residents who believe they have been victims of a scam or fraud should contact the Bedford Police Department at 603-472-5113.

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