BBB Announces Top Ten Scams of 2012

The Better Business Bureau has listed the top ten scams of 2012.

If it is too good to be true, it probably is. That's an adage that usually serves people well when sniffing out scams, but some among the Better Business Bureau's Top Ten Scams of 2012 are better concealed than most. Among the list are two scams relating to the Newtown shooting and Hurricane Sandy. Some of the others, such as people pretending to be a grandchild in trouble in a foreign country, have become old favorites for scammers around the globe. See the full list here at the BBB's website.

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Online Dating Scam Warning from the BBB

The Better Business Bureau has steps to stay financially safe while dating online.

With Valentine's Day upon us, the Better Business Bureau is saying people need to take steps to protect themselves while dating online. Bad dates are a risk everyone undertakes while trying to find a relationship. Those risks can escalate to extreme levels, such as having to take out a restraining order as happened to one Shrewsbury woman before she finally found a steady relationship. However, the Better Business Bureau is warning of the financial threats that can come from online dating. Scammers can pose as anyone online, they say. The BBB and Western Union have partnered to offer consumers tips on how to avoid scams. Here are some ways to stay safe from relationship scams:   The BBB has or more information on scams, check out BBB Scam …

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Scammer Posing as Sheriff's Deputy

A new scam is targeting people's trust in law enforcement.

The Middlesex Sheriff’s Office is warning of a telephone scam where a man claims to work for the Civil Process Division of its office. “We want citizens to be aware of this scam so they can properly protect themselves,” said Middlesex Sheriff Peter Koutoujian. The male scammer allegedly claims to be a Middlesex Sheriff’s Office (MSO) deputy working on behalf of group named ‘American Cash’ and with an out of state law firm. According to the Sheriff's Department, he tells the person being called that they will be arrested if they do not wire money to a bank. The call might appear to be coming from a legitimate sheriff’s office number, but it is not. “These are not legitimate calls. Arrests performed by the Civil Process Division deputies are…

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The Court Report

Court Files: Sears Scammer Out on $300 Bail

An attempted murder suspect heads back to court, and a purse snatching suspect is out on bail.

The Court Report is a weekly column highlighting some of the cases in Marlborough District Court that are of interest to the public. If you see an arrest in the police log and would like to see a follow-up on the disposition of the case, tell us in the comments and look for it the following week. On Monday, Dec. 5 Melissa A. Martin, 29, of 5 Gay St., Apt. 1, appeared in Marlborough District Court to face charges that she had stolen a purse from a 62-year-old woman then assaulted her. See the full story here. Martin was released on $200 cash bail and was ordered to return to court Wednesday, Dec. 21 for a pre-trial hearing. Due to the suspect's violent history, a protective order was issued for the case, said court records.  In a related …

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Josh Gray

3:33 pm on Friday, December 30, 2011

Jury selection will begin on Jan. 19. Writing the court column up right now.   more ›

Better Business Bureau, Police Encourage Wariness in Light of Post-Storm Scams

The BBB has received specific information pertaining to an individual going door-to-door claiming to be from the power company.

The Marlborough chapter of the Better Business Bureau is warning residents to be on the lookout for unscrupulous contractors and potential scams in the wake of the Halloween weekend snowstorm that left many people with damaged property.   Especially suspicious are those who sell their services door-to-door after such a storm. "After major weather related events, we hear numerous reports of folks being victimized again, not by Mother Nature, but rather at the hands of untrustworthy people who see this as a money-making opportunity," said Paula Fleming, a BBB Spokesperson here in Marlborough. “Some of the most common post-disaster scams involve home repairs, clean-up efforts, heating and cooling equipment and door-to-door contractors.” …

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Patch Facts

5 Things You Need to Know Today: Aug. 30

Here is a list of things going on in and around Marlborough today.

1. We are in store for another nice day. The National Weather Service says it will be sunny with a high of 80 degrees.  2. In case you hadn't seen this: The Marlborough Public Schools have delayed their first day of classes until Sept. 6. Details as well as the latest from AMSA and Assabet Valley here.  3. Marlborough resident and Mount Auburn Hospital employee, Maureen Power, was recently honored at Mount Auburn Hospital for being a consistent blood donor over the past year. Maureen was honored for her on-going commitment to helping people through blood donation. Great job, Maureen! 4. Your home and wallet may take a serious beating when a big storm like Hurricane Irene hits and Better Business Bureau is warning consumers to be wary of …

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Rash of Scams Prompts Police to Warn Residents, Seniors

The Marlborough Police Department issued a statement Wednesday asking residents to be wary of supposed contractors showing up on your doorsteps.

The Marlborough Police Department issued a statement Wednesday saying they had occasion to investigate several scamming incidents over the past week. "The Marlborough Police Department would like to remind citizens to be hyper vigilant when it comes to protecting themselves from scams and con artists," said the statement. "Suspicious activity to look out for; contractors that come to your house without first being contacted by the home owner who may state previous work done on your house was 'shabby' or not up to code and needs to be fixed, a contractor stating they had done work on a neighbors home and they have 'left over' materials and will cut a deal with the homeowner because they are in the neighborhood, or any calls to the home …

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Patch Facts

5 Things You Need To Know Today: April 14

Here is a list of things going on in and around Marlborough today.

1. Spring-like temperatures will return today, says the National Weather Service, with mostly cloudy skies and winds that will top off at 25mph. 2. The Better Business Bureau says that "just days after millions of customers' email addresses were stolen in one of the largest data breaches in U.S. history, they are seeing one of the first Epsilon data breach phishing scams. ... Typical phishing scammers pose as reputable companies to fraudulently obtain your personal information. In this case, the BBB is now seeing emails being sent from a fake 'Chase Bank,' one of the companies whose data was compromised. Following suit, the email warns that ‘your account’ will be deactivated or deleted if you do not update your profile immediately. The …

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