Avoiding Door to Door Scams Advice from the Police Dept

From: Bauer, Julia M [mailto:Julia.Bauer@fairfaxcounty.gov]
Sent: Monday, February 09, 2009 5:10 PM
To: undisclosed-recipients
Subject: FW: Scam

All,

Here is a case our CIS detectives are working. It involves a scam with tree trimming and yard maintenance companies:

Please keep an eye out for a black van with 2 w/m's ..early 20's at 5'8" and late 40's at 5'3", both clean shaven. Last seen in the area of Westchester Dr on February 4th. A younger male claims he is doing tree trimming in the area. This particular incident, the younger male tries to walk through the house after giving an 85 year old male a sales pitch. The elderly male makes him go back outside and walk around to the back yard but fails to lock the front door. After a period outside, the elderly male goes back inside. About this time the wife finds the other subject in the house claiming to be looking for a water main break. Nothing was taken from the home.

Please be aware that as Spring approaches incidents like this may increase. We have had several scams similar to this one in the past few summers. As we here in the Crime Prevention office always say, unless you have an appointment with someone do not open the door for them. Remember the "Hug and Kiss" rule. Don't open the door for anyone you are not willing to hug and kiss!! If you see a van like the one mentioned above, please call the non-emergency number 703-691-2131 to report it to a street officer. If you have information that you think may be helpful please forward it to me and I will give it to the detectives. Thanks in advance for your cooperation!!


Jules


PFC Julia M. Bauer
Crime Prevention
Franconia Station
Fairfax County Police Dept.
6121 Franconia Rd
Alexandria, VA 22310
703-922-8263