A new scam targeting Chelsea residents has prompted a warning from local police. The scheme involves an automated voice impersonating a representative from Sovereign Bank and requesting sensitive personal details such as social security numbers, bank account information, and credit card numbers. “For your security, the Chelsea Police encourage you to be especially aware of email, telephone and postal mail scams that ask for personal or sensitive information,” Chelsea Chief of Police Brian Kyes stated. “Never provide in any way sensitive personal information unless you first validate and verify the person or company requesting it.” According to Kyes, “You also have the right to file a police report and obtain a copy of it,” Massachusetts residents who suspect they have fallen victim to identity theft are entitled under state law to request and obtain a copy of any police report documenting the incident.
Additional protections are available to consumers in Massachusetts. The state permits individuals to institute a security freeze on their credit reports, which prevents credit reporting agencies from disclosing any information contained in a consumer’s credit report without explicit written consent. “If you have been a victim of identity theft, and you provide the credit reporting agency with a valid police report, it cannot charge you to place, lift or remove a security freeze,” Kyes noted. It is important to understand that “In all other cases, a credit reporting agency may charge you up to $5.00 each to place, temporarily lift, or permanently remove a security freeze.” implementing a security freeze may create delays, complications, or obstacles in processing applications for new credit, mortgages, loans, employment, housing, or similar services.
To establish a security freeze, written requests must be submitted to each of the three primary consumer reporting agencies—Equifax (www.equifax.com), Experian (www.experian.com), and TransUnion (www.transunion.com)—via regular mail, certified mail, or overnight delivery to the addresses listed on their respective websites.
Chelsea residents can report suspected criminal activity to the Police Department’s 24 hr Crime Stoppers TIP line by dialing 617-466-4880 or by texting the word Chelsea followed by their message to tip411 (847411) from a cell phone. Those preferring to submit tips online can do so through the Chelsea Police Departments website at www.chelseapolice.com. All of these reporting methods allow for anonymous submission.