CPD Warns Public of Common Holiday Themed Scams
As the holiday season and shopping begins, potential criminals will look to perpetrate scams against shoppers and donors. The scams involve online shopping, charity, cryptocurrency investment, gift cards and social media.
Online shopping schemes include fraudulent websites or ads offering goods at unrealistic discounts, items purchased through third-party marketplaces using stolen credit cards or accounts and puppy scams involving fake advertisements for pets.
People should be on the lookout for fake charities soliciting donations through phone calls, emails, crowdfunding platforms, and social media. Also, copycat organizations create seemingly legitimate charities to steal funds.
Gift card scams involve requests for gift card purchases for alleged emergencies, work-related functions, or as payment, or tampered cards with compromised security stickers or altered barcodes.
Social media scams include posts offering fake gift cards or event tickets designed to steal personal information, or fraudsters duplicating ticket barcodes for resale.
Apply for/Renew a Dog License
Cambridge residents can apply for or renew their dog’s license online or download the paper application and renew via mail or in person, following instructions on the respective form.
Order a Certified Copy of a Birth Certificate
Please note that only certified copies of records are issued by the City Clerk's Office, regardless of intended use.
BIRTH CERTIFICATE ORDERED ONLINE WILL BE MAILED WITHIN 10 BUSINESS DAYS
Textiles and Mattresses Banned from Trash Disposal as of November 1, 2022
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection is adding textiles and mattresses to materials banned from trash disposal. Textiles include clothes, linens, towels, shoes, and accessories, like hats, gloves, socks, underwear, belts, and handbags. Residents can schedule a free mattress and textiles pickup online, or drop-off textiles at 12 locations.
Live at the Library: Rosalita's Puppets: Puppet-Making Workshop (Main)
Join us for a 60-minute puppet-making workshop following the performance of, Enchanted Castle, by Rosalita's Puppets. For children ages 5 and up and their caregivers. This program can accommodate 30 children. Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis on the day of the program. The entire party must be present to receive a ticket. This program starts promptly. Unclaimed seats will be offered to someone waiting. We appreciate your patience and understanding. Please call 617-349-4038 for more information.
4 Mellen Street Affordable Housing Application Information Session
The application period for Homeowners Rehab Inc. (HRI)’s 29-unit affordable development at 4 Mellen Street in Cambridge is now open. Click here to fill out the application online. Physical applications are available at the following locations:
810 Memorial Drive, #200, Cambridge, MA 02139
City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139
City Hall Annex, 344 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02139
Multi-Service Center, 362 Green St, Cambridge, MA 02139
Cambridge Public Library, 449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02139
Completed applications can be returned to HRI as follows:
Online: https://waitlistcheck.com/MA3398
By Email: FourMellen@Wingatecompanies.com
By Mail: 810 Memorial Drive, #200, Cambridge, MA 02139
Applications are available from June 1, 2026 to July 31, 2026 at 5 p.m. with a lottery to be held August 13th, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. via Teams. Applicants are not required to attend the lottery.
To learn more about the application and lottery process, please attend one of the upcoming information sessions:
In person: Thursday, June 11, 2026 from 6 – 7:30 p.m. at 810 Memorial Drive, 3rd Floor, Cambridge MA 02139
Online via Teams: Tuesday, July 7, 2026 from 6 – 7:30 p.m. Teams Meeting link: https://shorturl.at/BxHwS
For more information about this project, please visit https://linktr.ee/FourMellen.
For information about eligibility or the application process, please contact HRI at (617) 693-0981or email FourMellen@wingatecompanies.com.
Open Enrollment
Health Insurance Open enrollment for active City employees and non-Medicare eligible retirees will be held this year from February 10-28, 2025. Please review your current health insurance elections and submit any changes you would like to make via the online portal no later than Friday, February 28, 2025.