Phone Scammers Targeting Berkshire County Residents

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Authorities are warning Berkshire County residents about a telephone scam targeting

elderly victims.

 

Berkshire District Attorney Paul J. Caccaviello says several people have fallen victim to the scam in which the caller poses as a relative or the attorney of a relative that has been involved in an accident where someone else has been injured. The caller claims the relative is in need of bail money, legal fees and medical expenses.

 

Those making the fake calls have been operating out of the state of Florida, but the phone numbers they are using have an area code of 202, which is located in Washington, D.C.

 

Caccaviello is asking anyone who may have received such a call or who may receive a call not to comply with any requests to send money and to contact their local police department.

 

The Berkshire Eagle reports that a North Adams women sent some $23,000 in cash to a person in Florida posing as a bail bondsman for a grandson who had purportedly been in a drunk-driving accident. 

 

Anyone requesting immediate cash payments should be considered suspicious; always confirm any situation with an independent source. If someone is calling claiming to be representing a family member or friend, contact that person first before sending any money.