| Columbia County Sheriff's Office |
David W. Harrison, Jr., SHERIFF James R. Sweet, UNDERSHERIFF
| Copyright ©2006 Columbia County Sheriff's Office, Hudson, NY 12534 |
Spring …the start of “Scam Season”
April 2, 2008
Sheriff David Harrison, Jr. advises that with the coming of Spring, his office has received phone calls from
Columbia County residents over the past few days, reporting that individuals who identify themselves as Paving
Companies and other various types of contractors, are approaching residents at their homes and offering what
are described as “unbelievable deals” for re-topping or spreading gravel on driveways. The alleged contractors
are leaving business cards with very little information, usually only an “800” number.
Sheriff Harrison reminds county residents that if someone who is not known to them approaches with a deal that is
“too good to be true”, it may be a scam. When hiring any contractor for services, residents should take the time
to check credentials and references. At no time should a resident allow someone who was not requested to stop
by, does not have proper utility service or other identification or is not otherwise known to them, into their
residence.
Sheriff Harrison says that criminal intelligence reveals that scam criminals follow current events and trends as well
and know that in these economic times, residents may be more apt to fall for a deal that is “too good to be true”
and become a victim of a scam.
Sheriff Harrison stresses that “Using common sense is best in these situations and understanding that if a person
you don’t know just stops by your residence with an offer that is too good to be true
…it most likely is not true.”
Any suspicious activity should be immediately reported to a law enforcement agency. The Columbia County
Sheriff’s Office can be contacted at 518-828-3344.
April 2, 2008
Sheriff David Harrison, Jr. advises that with the coming of Spring, his office has received phone calls from
Columbia County residents over the past few days, reporting that individuals who identify themselves as Paving
Companies and other various types of contractors, are approaching residents at their homes and offering what
are described as “unbelievable deals” for re-topping or spreading gravel on driveways. The alleged contractors
are leaving business cards with very little information, usually only an “800” number.
Sheriff Harrison reminds county residents that if someone who is not known to them approaches with a deal that is
“too good to be true”, it may be a scam. When hiring any contractor for services, residents should take the time
to check credentials and references. At no time should a resident allow someone who was not requested to stop
by, does not have proper utility service or other identification or is not otherwise known to them, into their
residence.
Sheriff Harrison says that criminal intelligence reveals that scam criminals follow current events and trends as well
and know that in these economic times, residents may be more apt to fall for a deal that is “too good to be true”
and become a victim of a scam.
Sheriff Harrison stresses that “Using common sense is best in these situations and understanding that if a person
you don’t know just stops by your residence with an offer that is too good to be true
…it most likely is not true.”
Any suspicious activity should be immediately reported to a law enforcement agency. The Columbia County
Sheriff’s Office can be contacted at 518-828-3344.