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| Cops Corner - March 2006 |  |
MARCH 2006
The Seattle Police Department recently issued a press release alerting the public about "travelers;" an organized group that travels the country conducting various scams. Although no one is immune, they specifically target the elderly.
Oftentimes when we hear about things like this, we think, "That's Seattle. We don't have those problems in Skagit County." I'm sorry to say, that's not true. Although we may not yet have experienced "organized groups," Mount Vernon Police Department has conducted investigations on individuals who have "scammed" local citizens.
Two years ago, one of our habitual criminals discovered older victims were easy to manipulate. His method of operation was simple. He'd go door to door specifically looking for senior citizens who lived alone and ask if he could do yard work or other chores in exchange for money. These trusting individuals would pay him up front, but the work would never get done.
While there, the suspect would ask for a drink of water or ask to use the telephone as a ruse to get inside the victim's home. Once inside, he would spin his "tale of woe" and pressure the victim for money. The suspect also stole the victim's personal checks and was able to "case" his house. Although never actually threatening anyone, he was persistent and his victims were intimidated.
About 18 months ago, a person was going door to door selling cement work. He would offer to redo driveways or brick walls at a really good price. If he found a savvy homeowner it would be business as usual; however, when he came across more susceptible clients he requested money "up front." He'd do just enough work to give the impression the project would eventually be completed, and would request installment payments to cover "overages." At the same time, he would share tragedies about his personal life and ask for money for family expenses.
Although not related, these situations carry a common theme. They find an individual who appears trusting and easily manipulated. They offer a service such as yard work, landscaping, construction, repairs. Eventually, they talk about a personal tragedy (out of work, death in the family, terminal illness, etc.) in an attempt to exploit sympathy and extract as much money as possible. In both cases, once the suspects found someone willing to give money, they continued to go back and ask for more.
To avoid becoming a victim of scams like these, follow a few simple rules. - Be leery of anyone coming to your door and asking for work. Strangers coming to your home and sharing personal tragedies is a red flag.
- Don't allow someone you don't know into your house. If a person needs to make a phone call, have him/her do it from the porch.
- Don't give these people money. If you do it once, they'll be back.
As our community continues to grow, we will see more of these incidents. Even in Skagit County, we must be prepared for the small percentage of people who willingly prey on the trust of others.
For more information on this subject, please contact your local law enforcement agency.
Sergeant Mike Don
Crime Prevention Division
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Saturday, May 26, 2012
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Tuesday, June 12, 2012
6:30 - 7:30 p.m., Hillcrest Park Lodge, 1717 S. 13th Street. Please join Mayor Boudreau, Ward 2 Councilmembers Gary Molenaar and Mark Hulst, and Councilmember At-Large Dale Ragan to voice your questions, concerns or observations about the City of Mount Vernon.
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Monday, June 18, 2012
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