Elderly Milton Woman Victim in Sweepstakes Fraud

An 88-year-old Milton woman who fell prey to a contest scam and sent thousands of dollars to "claim" her prize reported the suspected fraud to Milton police on July 18 when the people harassing her by phone promised someone would be coming by her house for more money.

The woman first was called and told she was the winner of $2.5 million and a Mercedes convertible in what was claimed to be a part of the Publishers Clearinghouse Sweepstakes. A person claiming to be the president of the company called her to have her send money so she could claim her prizes. Before she began to suspect fraud, the victim had sent two money orders of $350 and $199 to separate individuals.

After those payments were sent, someone else called to tell her the man claiming to be Publishers Clearinghouse's president had been arrested. Now she was told to send a certified check of $3,800 to another person at another address. The Milton victim did that. But when she began to suspect fraud she managed to get UPS to cancel the shipment and return the check to her.

What prompted her to contact Milton police were the constant phone calls to her home by these scammers using high-pressure techniques. She even unplugged one of her phones from the wall so she wouldn't hear it ring. When the callers said someone would come by her house on July 15 to pick up the $3,800 check, she became alarmed. Milton police promised patrols by her house.

Owner of Closed Salon Suspects Client List Stolen

A Milton salon owner contacted city police when she found out two former salon employees apparently used her client database to promote a new salon.

She suspected computer forgery when she received an email showing it was from her own database, but promoting the new salon. The two former employees were  laid off when the salon closed, and now the salon owner believed they might be using her hair salon license to open their own salon. She said no business license was on file with Milton for the new salon.

 Homeowner Finds Visa Cards in Mail in Identity Fraud Case

A Milton resident reported receiving three Visa Walmart money cards in the mail under three different names that she didn't order.

As the home where the cards were mailed is for sale and no one is home until 6:30 p.m. each day, she worried more cards would be sent there and picked up by the identity thieves.

Milton police promised patrols in the neighborhood.

 For questions about this blotter, email Bob Pepalis.