Wayland Police Department Shares Scam Safety Tips

Chief Ed Burman and the Wayland Police Department would like to share guidance with residents in light of recent reports of scams taking place in the community. 

Wayland Police has been made aware that residents have been receiving emails and text messages from scammers claiming to be from the U.S. Post Office. Residents should be aware that town, state, and federal agencies – including the U.S. Postal Service – do not send text messages asking for payment or personal information.

The Department would like to provide the following safety tips from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to help residents avoid scams:

• Never click on a link from an unexpected message, either through email, text, or social media message, even if it seems to come from a company you use or that is familiar.
• Do not pay anyone who contacts you unexpectedly. Most companies, government agencies, or bills will not have you pay something over the phone, through a wire transfer, or email.
• Make sure your electronic devices are updated regularly to help protect against viruses and malware.
• If you believe you have fallen victim to a scam or are talking to someone that you believe is a scammer, report the situation to the FTC and your local law enforcement agency.

For more information about common scams, visit the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Cyber Crime website here.

Residents who believe they may have fallen victim to a scam are encouraged to contact Wayland Police at 508-358-4721.