Tennessee Sheriff’s Office Warns of Scammers Targeting Area Businesses
DCSO reported the most recent incident on Thursday, where a California resident contacted a Decatur County business after discovering an unauthorized logging work request on her property.
What This Story Is About
The Decatur County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) is cautioning local businesses about a rising wave of scams.
Why It Matters
DCSO has received multiple reports from local businesses about out-of-county individuals posing as property owners, seeking services like tree removal or exterior brick painting.
What Happens Next
DCSO advises:
- Verify Suspicious Requests: If you receive an unusual work request, double-check the legitimacy before proceeding.
- Report and Contact Authorities: If you suspect you've been targeted or have suffered a loss, contact your local Sheriff’s Office and your bank.
For Context
Scammers have been convincing local companies to accept work, providing what appears to be legitimate checks. However, once the business deposits the check, the scammers call back, requesting a refund, often in a different payment method. By the time the bank identifies the check as fraudulent, the business has already incurred the loss.
Fortunately, since the scams began, affected business owners have been able to contact the actual property owners and prevent any financial harm.
DCSO emphasizes the importance of verification, stating, "A few minutes spent verifying a job could save someone thousands of dollars."