Concord, NH – Attorney General Gordon J. MacDonald issues a scam alert for New Hampshire residents, especially its older adult population, related to a rise in Social Security-related scam calls.  Over the last month, the Attorney General’s Consumer hotline has experienced a sharp increase in calls reporting Social Security-related scams.

New Hampshire residents have received scam phone calls from an automated message stating there has been “fraud” associated with the recipient’s Social Security Number. The message asks the recipient to press “1” or stay on the line to speak with an individual who can “help” or “assist” with the fraud. The recipient is then connected to an individual (a scammer) who requests personal identifying information, including the recipient’s name, date of birth, and Social Security Number. Those receiving this type of call have reported that the scammers use scare tactics and threatening language in attempts to obtain the personal information. It has also been reported that the scammers are leaving messages when their calls go unanswered, requesting that recipients call them back. 

The Attorney General’s Office reminds New Hampshire residents that the Social Security Administration (SSA) will NEVER:

• Threaten you;
• Suspend your Social Security Number;
• Demand immediate payment, require payment by cash, gift card, pre-paid debit card, or wire transfer; or
• Ask for gift card numbers over the phone.

Further, the SSA will never make an unsolicited call to you and ask for your Social Security Number or other personal identifying information.

The Attorney General’s Office urges New Hampshire residents to be vigilant. Anyone receiving a suspicious call from someone claiming to be with the SSA, or requesting Social Security-related information should take the following steps:

• Do not engage with the caller;
• Hang up the phone immediately;
• Do not return unknown calls, texts, or e-mails;
• Do not give money or personal information;
• Report the scam to the Office of the Inspector General – Social Security Administration:
• https://oig.ssa.gov/report;
• 1-800-269-0271
• Report the scam to the office of the Attorney General – Consumer Protection Hotline:
• 1-888-468-4454
• E-mail: Doj-CPB@doj.nh.gov
• doj.nh.gov/consumer/complaints

Be aware that scammers are able to “ghost” or utilize what appear to be trusted telephone numbers, including those of government agencies and law enforcement. As a result, even if it appears that the telephone number is familiar or is from a reliable source, the Attorney General’s Office advises all to be cautious and aware of the potential that it may be a scam call.

Anyone with knowledge that a vulnerable adult has been scammed or financially exploited should contact local law enforcement as well as the New Hampshire Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services, at 1-800-949-0470.  

Picture provided by the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office’s Facebook Page

 

OSSIPEE, NH – On Sunday October 4th, 2020 around 8:00pm, a subject reported a suspicious vehicle near the Westward Shores Campground, Ossipee. When the Ossipee Police Department arrived, two subjects fled from the vehicle on foot.

Ossipee PD requested the assistance of a K9, Carroll County Sheriff’s Deputy Rowe and K9 “Charlie” responded and after about 20 minutes of tracking, K9 Charlie alerted to two subjects hiding in a swampy area.

The two male subjects were taken into custody without incident by the Ossipee Police officers,

The subjects identified as Dana Cameron and Raven Dakota both 24 years old.

On September 30th, 2020, both subjects had fled from the Waldo County, ME, re-entry Center where the two were incarcerated and were wanted since fleeing the Center.

The suspicious vehicle had been reported stolen to the Searsport Police Dept., ME, and was towed from the scene.

The Ossipee Police Department was assisted by the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, NH State Police, Madison Police Department, and Effingham Police Department.

The public is extremely important in stopping criminal activity. “See Something, Say Something.” These arrests and recovery of a stolen vehicle were possible because an individual noticed something suspicious and made a call to the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office Regional Communication Center.

Source: Press Release from Carroll County Sheriff’s Office’s Facebook Page

At approximately 7:00 pm on Thursday night Conway Police Department (CPD) was dispatched to a single vehicle accident into a telephone pole in the area of 3158 White Mountain Highway. When officers arrived on scene they observed a Silver 2004 Saab that had come to rest against a telephone pole located off of the southbound shoulder. After striking the pole the vehicle struck the white fence in front of the Outlook Apartments. The vehicle operator, a 17 year old female from Fryeburg, ME, was uninjured in the crash. She stated that she was traveling southbound and was blinded by a vehicle passing her in the northbound lane that failed to extinguish its high beams. It does not appear that speed or operator impairment were factors in the crash. The telephone was replaced and power was lost in the area for a short time. Two vehicles lawfully parked in the parking lot of Overlook Apartments were damaged as a result of debris from the telephone and fence that were struck by the vehicle.

Chief Christopher Mattei
Conway Police Department