LCSO warns of gypsies scamming neighborhoods

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CAPE CORAL – Gypsies; The Lee County Sheriff’s Office says they’re a real problem here in Southwest Florida. Now experts are issuing a warning. These traveling groups are scam artists who try to take advantage of vacationers as well as people who live here year-round.

What you need to know is if someone is knocking on your door to sell you something, they better have a permit displaying his or her picture along with the city clerk’s signature.

They come every year just like our snowbirds except their mission is to live off of your dime.

“Oftentimes they bring them in and vans and they will just dispersed throughout the community,” said Beth Schell, a fraud specialist.

Gypsies go door to door normally with a sob story trying to sell you something.

“(They) will knock on your door and they may be selling you know something to clean your carpet or magazines, but typically they’re very friendly very convincing,” Schell said.

Typically, however, they’re also there to see what else you have.

“People will use that as a way to scope out homes and your property and the valuables and things like that,” Schell said.

So here’s what you need to know:

• Never let a stranger in your home!

• Don’t hesitate to immediately report unknown or suspicious people.

• Keep all your doors, including the garage door closed and locked.

• Don’t fall for those sob stories!

If a girls scout shows up at your door, you can still buy some of those thin mint cookies, but anyone else needs to go to city hall and fill out an application so they’re not fined for breaking the law.

 

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