Massachusetts Treasury Warns People About Scam Phone Calls

By Colin A. Young

Treasurer Deborah Goldberg wants the people of Massachusetts to know that it isn’t actually her office calling to tell people they owe money to the Treasury to avoid being arrested on drug charges.

Goldberg’s office Monday afternoon circulated word of scam calls that people around Massachusetts have been getting. Her office said the calls are purported to come from the Massachusetts Office of the State Treasurer and tell recipients, “You owe money to the Treasury to avoid an arrest for drug possession.”

“The Treasurer and her office want to ensure that no citizen is taken advantage of as part of this scam. The Treasurer’s office does not call people to collect money,” Goldberg’s office said. “If you receive a call like this, please contact the Treasurer’s office immediately at 617-367-6900 to confirm legitimacy.”

The state Treasury most often attempts to reach people to tell them that the state is holding onto their unclaimed property or money. In September, Goldberg said her office had $3.4 billion in unclaimed property at Treasury, including forgotten savings and checking accounts, un-cashed checks, insurance policy proceeds, stocks, dividends, and the contents of unattended safe deposit boxes.