From the Sheriff’s Desk

            As the good weather approaches people start thinking about improvements around the home and the yard. Not just the home owners are thinking about it, so are the scam artists. The people who would pick your pocket while they “fix” things for you.

            The three most common scams we see are tree trimming, driveway paving and barn construction. There are plenty of reputable contractors in the county who do all three of these types of work. The ones that are working scams are normally itinerant individuals who target the elderly or the infirm. What they do is go door to door applying for work. They usually have a “great deal” on some leftover asphalt that “the boss” told them to get rid of or they can build that barn you need for 40% less than anyone else. The old adage of “if it sounds too good to be real, it is,” is absolutely true.

The Sheriff’s Office is currently working a case that crosses six counties and two states on a barn building scam. The “contractor” agrees to build the barn but he has to have half the money up front to buy supplies. The unsuspecting victim hands over the funds and the “contractor” starts on a frame but then discovers he needs more money. Since the work has started the homeowner hands over another 30% and the “contractor” is never seen again. He moves on to another county, prints up new handbills and changes the name of his construction company, starting the process all over again. In this particular case we have a warrant for the “suspect”.

            The asphalt paving scam runs like this: an individual knocks on the door, he’s got extra asphalt he can give you at a really good price. Sounds like a good deal so you go ahead and have him put it down. Now one of two things happen, either there isn’t enough to finish the job and you’ll have to buy the rest at the “regular” price, or you’ll be told that the asphalt has to set up for a few days so don’t drive on it right away. The first scam is pretty obvious, you’ve been set up for the “regular price’. The second scam becomes obvious in about three days when the asphalt never sets up. That’s because all they’ve done is spread tar or oil across the driveway, gotten their money and moved to the next county.

            Tree trimming is another common scam. The individual appears, unbidden, at your door with a great deal to trim those trees and haul off the residue. Of course there is a “fee” to drop the tree limbs at the dump which is three or four times the actual cost. Then the trees are dumped on a county roadside to be cleaned up by road crews.

            As I said, there are numerous reputable contractors in the county who work hard every day to give a honest product for a fair wage. Be sure to check out any agency or individual who solicits your business. If they are honest they won’t be offended by you checking on their credentials.

            If you have questions on these or any other possible scams please feel free to call the Sheriff’s Office at (405) 222-1000