Milton residents are being urged to verify unexpected payment requests as scammers impersonate town departments, police officers and relatives seeking emergency help.
An Oct. 28 roundup by the Milton Scene highlighted several common schemes. Local and state alerts offer a consistent response: stop the conversation and contact the organization or person through a number you independently know is legitimate.
In an April 2 town warning, officials said a Milton business received a fraudulent payment request carrying official-looking letterhead and a fake invoice. At the time, the town did not know whether others had received similar messages.
Officials advised residents to verify requests directly with the department using contact information from the town’s website. Logos and letterhead alone do not establish that a message is authentic.
Phone numbers can be disguised, too. In a Nov. 26, 2025, alert, Milton Police warned that callers were making their calls appear to originate from the department. Police said they do not call residents to demand payments, gift cards or sensitive financial information.
Residents can hang up and call the department at 617-698-3800 to check a suspicious call.
Drivers should also avoid links demanding payment for tolls or traffic violations. MassDOT says its divisions never request payment by text. Check accounts through the official EZDriveMA or RMV websites.
A familiar voice is not proof of identity either. The Federal Trade Commission warns that scammers can clone a relative’s voice from a short recording. Call the person back using a saved number before sending money.
Homeowners can monitor property records through the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds’ free Consumer Notification Program. It emails subscribers when a document is recorded under their registered name.
Anyone who sends money or financial information to a suspected scammer should promptly contact their bank or card issuer, notify Milton Police and report the incident at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Call 911 for an immediate threat or emergency.
