David N. Kirkman
Task Force Alert Chair
Asst Attorney General
Consumer Protection
NC Department of
Justice
P.O. Box 629
Raleigh, NC 27602
919-716-6000

North Carolina Division of Aging and Adult Services

Sheriff Warns of Scammers Targeting Homes With Wheelchair Ramps

******Alert #236 ******

The Alexander County Sheriff is warning citizens to be on the lookout for a pair of individuals who appear to be staking-out homes occupied by persons with physical disabilities. They reportedly pose as utility company personnel in order to gain entry to victims’ homes and then run distraction theft schemes on them. The following excerpt from the Taylorsville Times describes the scheme and one of the suspects involved:

..[I]ndividuals were reported going to homes which have handicapped ramps, saying they were at the home to check the water system. Witnesses described one person as a well-dressed white male. He would ask the homeowner to turn on the water in the kitchen and also turn on water in the bathroom. Deputies believe a second suspect was with the man, who entered the homes unnoticed while the man distracted the homeowners.

The suspect was believed to be traveling in a gray van and told residents he was from either the Greensboro or Burlington area.

Sheriff (Chris) Bowman urges local citizens to do the following: if a stranger comes to the door, call 911 and give the Sheriff's Office a chance to investigate the suspicious person(s) before allowing them to enter your home.

"Do not let strangers into your home," he related. "If they are legitimate, they will wait until a law enforcement officer arrives."

******End of Alert******

Date: March 25, 2010

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