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BEWARE OF GYPSY WORKERS
Tuesday, March 30th, 2010 -- 11:21 am
Posted by Riley Hebert-News Director
As the weather gets warmer, local law enforcement officials say you need to be on the lookout for unscrupulous traveling salespeople and handymen.
It’s one of the oldest scams in the book, according to Chief Deputy Jim Backus of the Clark County Sheriff’s Department.
"Some we've experienced in the past are blacktopping, selling cleaning products, painting or small household improvements, or attaching lightning rods on residences," Backus recalls.
Pushy behavior should be a red flag.
"Last year with the cleaning products, we had some residents who were very frightened. These people actually forced their way into the residences against the will of the homeowner," he says.
Scams can work several ways. In some instances, those claiming to do fix-up work will just take your money, claiming they need to buy materials, then leave. In some cases, they’ll do sub-standard work.
"They also work in teams. They'll have two or three along. One will come to the door to talk with you, the others will walk around your residence, or in out-buildings and steal stuff at that time," Backus cautions.
When in doubt, get identification, including names, phone numbers and license plate numbers.
In Clark County, door-to-door salespeople must have a Solicitor's Permit, signed by a Sheriff's Department employee.
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