Hingham Woman Does Not Fall for Pre-Paid Card Scam

An 85-year-old Hingham woman recognized she was the target of a scam Wednesday and called police, who are now warning residents about a pre-paid debit card scheme.

The woman received a call from a man who said a UPS package needed to be delivered to her house, that they tried the day before but were unsuccessful.

"The caller said although the package was small, someone needed to 'register' the package prior to delivery," the Hingham Police Department said in an electronic message. "The resident told the caller to just send the package to her but he insisted it could not be delivered until it was 'registered.'

"The caller asked if there were any stores nearby her home such as a "Walgreens, Walmart or CVS". The woman said a CVS was nearby in Hingham Square.

"The caller told her he had a "surprise" for her. He instructed her to go to the CVS, purchase a "Green Dot" card (prepaid debit card) for $5 and load it with $100. The caller said to bring the Green Dot card home and scratch it off (to reveal the PIN on the card that will allow access to the $100 that she had just loaded on the card).

"The caller said he would call her back after she purchased the card. He then told her she would win a $2.5 million prize. The resident was aware the call was a scam attempt at that time and called police. She did not leave her house or purchase the card. 

"While Detectives were at the woman's house, the same man called her several times. The Detective answered the phone, identified himself, and the caller yelled obscenities and hung up.

"As with many other previously reported scams the caller ID listed as from Jamaica (876-864-5311). Be aware though, a scammer's call could be from anywhere. 

"In this case, the first part of the call was made to sound as if it was company trying to arrange to deliver a package so the resident did not hang up. As the call continued, it became clear that it was a scam attempt.

"The scam works when the victim reads the number on the Green Dot (or other prepaid card) over the phone and reads the PIN number that is on the card. While still on the phone, another scammer uses these numbers to transfer those funds and the money is gone.

"Again, if you receive a similar call, simply hang up or don't answer. Scammers continue to make these calls to a countless number of people everyday because they are successful in stealing money. The best way to stop anyone from losing their money is to make people aware so please share this."