BILLERICA — Police Chief Roy Frost is pleased to report that the Billerica Police Department is recognizing two local bank branch managers who worked together to help thwart an attempted $80,000 scam.

On Friday, March 1, a married couple in their mid-70s was contacted by an unknown party stating that they needed to transfer $80,000 to a Citizen’s Bank account due to evidence of elicit images and money laundering being found on their computer.

The couple, who live in Nashua, N.H., called a branch of Hanscom Federal Credit Union in Burlington and spoke with Branch Manager Kim Giammasi to request a transfer of their money into the account at Citizen’s Bank. Concerned this was a scam attempt, Giamassi advised the couple they would have to make the transfer in person at a branch. The Nashua couple then went to the Hanscom’s Billerica Branch, where they met with Branch Manager Melody Anoli, who had already been contacted by Giamassi.

Anoli noted that the couple seemed nervous, and was not comfortable with the information provided by the couple, so she contacted Billerica Police. Billerica Police responded to the bank and spoke with the couple, advising them to stop taking calls from those demanding the money as the ploy behind demanding it is part of a well-known scam going around the country
Anoli then worked with the couple to secure their bank accounts.

“Thanks to the great awareness of both Giammasi and Anoli, and the response of the Billerica Police Department, these two members of our community did not fall victim to an attempted $80,000 scam,” said Frost. “I’d like to recognize both branch managers for their presence of mind and compassion.”

Billerica Police 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 Billerica Police at 978-667-1212.