Worcester Sheriff Warns Greater Gardner MA – “Smishing” Scams surging on cell phones
[West Boylston]—Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis is warning residents about a recent wave of “smishing” scams targeting cell phones across Massachusetts. Smishing, a combination of “SMS” (short message service) and “phishing,” involves scammers sending fraudulent text messages with website links to residents’ cell phones.
Press Release April 15, 2025
“According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), a typical smishing scam message may appear to be from your bank or another trusted organization. These messages often contain a link or phone number designed to entice you to click or call. If you engage with these messages, you risk falling victim to the scam. Once you interact with the scammers, they may manipulate your personal information, which they can sell or use for further scams. Additionally, “smishers” may try to lure you into downloading malware onto your personal electronic devices.
Recent reports state that the following scams have been identified: **MassDOT Toll Scam**: In this scam, individuals receive a notification, often via email or text, claiming that they’re being contacted regarding unpaid highway tolls. The text may demand payment via fake payment links or phone numbers.
USPS Undeliverable Package Scam**: In this scam, individuals receive a notification, often via email or text, claiming that a package sent through the United States Postal Service (USPS) could not be delivered. The message typically includes a link to resolve the issue, which leads to phishing sites designed to capture sensitive personal and financial information.
– **One-Ring Scam**: This scam involves receiving a phone call that rings only once or twice before hanging up. When victims return the call, they are connected to a premium-rate number, resulting in high charges that are billed to their phone. Many area code numbers used in this scam are international, leading to significant unexpected charges on victims’ phone bills.
“Residents need to beware of any unsolicited calls that ask for their personal or financial information,” commented Sheriff Evangelidis. “These callers can sound convincing, may be aggressive, and try to intimidate you with threats of jail time or steep fines. We encourage anyone who gets a suspicious call to hang up and contact their associated institutions directly to verify any requests.”
Finally, Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis is issuing a warning to residents regarding a “spoofing” phone scam involving the Sheriff’s Office. The phone scammer poses as an employee of the Sheriff’s Office and informs the victim that they have an arrest warrant, charges filed in their name, or missed jury duty. The scammer then demands payment of a fine to avoid being arrested and serving jail time.
Sheriff Evangelidis says, “In general, if you do not initiate contact and an unknown caller is requesting money or making threats of arrest or loss of utilities, it’s likely a scam.”
The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office encourages people to be aware of text and phone call scams like this and to never give personal or financial information to an unknown number soliciting payments. For more information on the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, please visit www.WorcesterCountySheriff.com.”