Fake ADT security employee enters Denver resident’s home; residents urged to beware

Beware.

  Another scam has been reported in our community, but this time the intended victim became suspicious and called the cops.

  An east Lincoln woman reported to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office today that a white male posing as an employee of ADT Security came to her residence on Fay Jones Road in eastern Lincoln County telling her he needed to inventory items inside the residence.

  She allowed the man to enter the home and he asked questions about where jewelry, guns and other valuables were kept.  He also inquired about whether the home was in foreclosure.  The victim then became suspicious and asked the man to leave.

  Detective Mark Stamey said the woman described the man as a white male, age 40 to 50 years old, with brown hair.  He also wore glasses and a blue ADT polo shirt with a name tag of “Larry.”  He parked his car in the driveway but a long distance away from the home.  The vehicle was described as a burgundy or maroon four-door vehicle and the victim was not able to get the license plate number.

  The victim contacted ADT Security and was told no employees, whether independent dealer or not, should be walking up to homes requesting entry and asking those type questions.  ADT could not identify anyone with the name of “Larry” that was working in the Denver area.

  “Do not open your door for unsolicited services;  don’t allow anyone into your home and if you have concerns call 9-1-1,” encouraged detective Tim Johnson

  Anyone who has experienced a similar incident is asked to contact Lincoln County Sheriff’s Detective Mark Stamey at 704-268-3051 or call the Major Crimes Unit at 704-736-8856.

Meanwhile, Lincoln County Sheriff David Carpenter is reminding residents to continue to be vigilant in preventing telephone scams.

On July 24, 2012 an eastern Lincoln County couple was scammed out of $6,800 by a caller who pretended to be a long-time family friend. The caller told the couple he was in jail in Florida and needed a couple of thousand dollars. The caller told the couple that he had been caught for DWI and also struck another vehicle. He told the couple his lawyer would call back with an exact amount. A short time later another male called back and said the amount would be $2,800.

Western Union wouldn’t wire the money and the couple returned home. The second person called back and told them to go to Walmart and send the money. The next day they received another call stating the individual needed an additional $4,000 to cover doctor bills for the other driver.

On July 30, the couple received another call stating they didn’t get the money picked up in time so they would need to send more money. The couple called Western Union and was advised that the money had been picked up and it was probably a scam.

It was not until then that they called the individual they were trying to help. He told them that he had not been to Florida and didn’t call them.

“If the person you are talking to on the phone can’t be positively identified by you, or a close relative that you know by voice then hang up the phone. If the caller calls back then hang up again and contact the appropriate law enforcement agency to report this. Never give anything out over the telephone or be tricked into mailing or wiring money to anyone without a verifiable, legitimate reason.” said Sheriff Carpenter.

The calls known as the so called “Relative or Friend in Distress” scam is a nationwide problem pulled on senior citizens.

Detective Don Mauldin traced the calls to a cell phone in Montreal, Canada.

You can register with the “Do Not Call” list. It won’t prevent all calls but it will cut down on the number of calls you receive.

Posted by admin on Aug 9 2012. Filed under Local News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.