Page 8 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, AUGUST 1, 2025 FBI Boston Warns New Englanders to Beware of Law Enforcement and Government Impersonation Scams Federal agencies do not threaten individuals or demand immediate payment T he FBI Boston Division has seen an increase in reports of scammers targeting New Englanders through unsolicited telephone calls in which the caller claims to be a representative of wellknown law enforcement and government agencies, including the FBI, to extort money or steal personally identifiable information. Be advised, law enforcement and federal agencies do not call individuals threatening arrest or demanding money. Scammers often spoof caller ID information, and these phone calls are fraudulent even if they appear to be coming from an agency’s legitimate phone number. Recipients should hang up immediately and report the call. The tactics used by scammers continually change, but often share many of the same characteristics, including the utilization of intimidation tactics. Typically, the scammers will use an urgent tone, advise the recipient of the call that charges have been, or will soon be, filed against them, and threaten to confiscate the recipient’s property, freeze their bank accounts, or have them arrested unless payment is made immediately. If the recipient questions the caller, the GUY MOLEY | FROM PAGE 5 When Fuddruckers closed its doors, Mom’s Cancer Fighting Angels were feeling down, with no place to relocate. It seemed like it was the end of caller becomes more aggressive. The recipients are advised that it will cost thousands of dollars in fees or court costs to resolve the matter, and the caller typically instructs people to wire “settlement” money or provide payment via prepaid cards, gift cards, wire transfers, and cash, sent by mail or inserted into cryptocurrency ATMs to avoid arrest. The scammer may also tell the victim to keep the matter secret from family and friends. “These fraudsters are capitalizing on fear and intimidation because nobody wants to be the subject of a law enforcement investigation,” said the Car Shows. Saugus heard of the dilemma and stepped up to welcome Guy’s team. Blessed Sacrament offered its parking lot for “Touch a Truck” and the Saugus Middle-High School offered its grounds for future Car Shows. Guy’s team was filled with gratitude for Saugus saving the day for their Mom’s Cancer Fighting Angel’s Car Shows. As for July’s Fundraiser, Guy knew the Town valued his endeavors, and he said, “When I drove over to the School and saw the entire place being landscaped, I had thought ‘wow they are really sprucing this place up for the show.’” “It really hit me as to the faith Saugus had in me to host the event and represent the Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Division. “We’ve seen an increase in these scams which is why we’re reminding the public to resist the urge to act immediately and verify who is actually contacting you.” According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), 17,367 people reported being victims of government impersonation scams in 2024, with losses totaling $405,624,084. Here in the Boston Division, which includes all of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, 778 complaints were filed with financial Town to all the people coming from all over,” Guy said. After receiving approval for use of the school parking lot, Guy spent a considerable amount of time there planning the logistics. Guy’s wife Brenda, who is a Mom’s Cancer Fighting Angel, too, thought her husband had taken up residency at the parking lot. Together, the Moley’s participate in many community activities and fundraisers. When December arrives, there’s The Winter Wonderland. Guy and Brenda also BANDS OF SUMMER | FROM PAGE 4 cial event, New Orleans Night at the Mystic Theatre in Conway, N.H., on Saturday, August 9. Tickets are required for that event, and there will be appropriate Louisiana cuisine available in the theatre’s cafe that evening. An upcoming free local outdoor show will be at Memorial Park in Reading, Mass., on Sunday, August 10 from 6 until 7:30 p.m. This marks the fourth consecutive summer that the Saugus Public Library and the National Park Service are collaborating on a local outdoor event that seems to get more popular every year. The concert series celebrates local musical talents in Essex County and creates opportunities for residents and visitors to engage with the park during evening hours. Shows begin at 6 p.m. each Wednesday in August. People can bring blankets and chairs, snacks, etc. The events take place on the stage behind the museum building, and spectators can settle down on the upper lawn. It is suitable for all ages. Restrooms are available until nearly 8 p.m., when the concerts conclude. If weather looks bad for any particular Wednesday, concert goers are urged to check losses totaling $12,948,552. • 98 victims in Maine reported losing $1,643,432. • 507 victims in Massachusetts reported losing $9,511,181. • 106 victims in New Hampshire reported losing $1,646,059. • 67 victims in Rhode Island reported losing $147,880. The FBI will never: • Call or email private citizens to demand payment, threaten arrest, or request personal or sensitive information. • Request payment via prepaid cards, wire transfers, or SCAMS | SEE PAGE 19 become Mr. and Mrs. Claus for Saugus, bringing holiday cheer to many town residents. Many are touched through his creative achievements. “I felt at the end of the day, my team and I have done our job and done it well. Making Saugus Proud and showing that it truly is some place special,” Guy said. If a smiling Irene Comeau – Guy’s late mom who’s the reason for the fundraisers – peeked down from heaven, she would be proud of her son’s efforts to raise money to help fight cancer. the library website (www.sauguspubliclibrary.org), which will update for cancellations on that day. Atwater~Donnelly – which specializes in Traditional American & Celtic Folk Music and Percussive Dance – was scheduled to perform this week (Wednesday, July 30). Here is the rest of the schedule for the summer: • August 6: Ditto (Acoustic Music, 60s & 70s). • August 13: John Jerome (Rock, Pop, Country, Hip-Hop). • August 20: Jon Waterman (a journey through the roots of American popular music). • August 27: Jump Street (Classic Rock, Motown, Jazz and Funk).
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