Yardwork Scam

     The Mason County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents of a man who is suspected in trying to take advantage of the senior citizens of our area. The man begins his swindle by asking a targeted senior citizen to do yard work, such as cleaning gutters and trimming trees. When an agreement is made, the man will generally give the appearance that he is working. Within a couple of hours, the man will request a somewhat large cash payment. He generally works alone and will avoid giving his name. The man has been known to steal property from the home if invited into the residence.

     Once paid, the man will return to the house within a couple of days. Usually in his second encounter, the man works hard to befriend the senior citizen and attempts to gain their sympathy by stating that he is struggling to feed his children. He will ask the senior citizen for money to buy food for his family. “We have seen this man bilk a senior citizen for more than $3500.00 in less than a month by using this method of operation and deception,” said Sheriff Wayne Youell. “When he was previously caught, the man boasted about how easy it is for him to gain a senior’s confidence and make a lot of money in a short time.”

     We believe that it’s just a matter of time before someone is victimized. The Mason County Sheriff’s Office wants to bring awareness and prevent that from happening by alerting our residents with some prevention tips:

Work with people you know or local businesses with ties to the community.
Ask people you trust for referrals.
Ask the contractor for references and check them out.
Get written estimates from several contractors or businesses.
Do not do business without a written contract. Be sure that all guarantees, promises and details are in writing.
Do not pay large sums in advance and never make final payment until all work is completed to your satisfaction.

     Be extra cautious when a contractor comes to your door soliciting your business, offers you discounts for finding other customers or "just happens to have" materials left over from a previous job Be extra cautious about letting someone into your home. Never let anyone into your home without first asking for identification.

     If you feel you have been or are being targeted as a victim in a scam, never be embarrassed to report the incident to your local law enforcement or the Mason County Sheriff’s Office as soon as possible.

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