Manchester Police Warn of Surge in Scams Targeting Residents

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Manchester Police are alerting residents to an increase in various scams targeting the community, including fraudsters posing as banks, threatening legal action, and requesting urgent bail money or gift card payments. Authorities are advising people to be wary of unsolicited requests for personal data, money transfers, or cryptocurrency, and to verify any suspicious claims directly with the purported organization before responding.

Why it matters

Scams can have devastating financial and emotional impacts on victims, especially vulnerable populations like the elderly. This spike in reported incidents in Manchester highlights the need for greater public awareness and vigilance against these predatory tactics that aim to exploit people's fears and trust.

The details

Police say the most common scams involve phone calls, texts, or emails from individuals claiming to be from the victim's bank, threatening legal trouble or investigations, or requesting urgent bail money or gift card payments. Other prevalent schemes include romance or investment scams, lottery/inheritance scams requiring upfront fees, and E-ZPass texts demanding payment for items the victim did not purchase.

• Manchester Police began receiving an increased number of scam reports in early 2026.

What’s next

Manchester Police are advising residents to be vigilant, verify any suspicious claims directly, and report any potential scams to the department at 603-668-8711.