The Fund-Raiser
Is Smithfield Police Department selling a calendar this year?
No. There have been recent reports that this fraudulent rumor
is being passed to con residents out of their money. According
to residents, suspects have been soliciting money for calendars,
telling residents that money earned from the sales of these
calendars are going to benefit the Smithfield Police
Department. BUYER BEWARE.
Smithfield Police Department does
not endorse this activity. Furthermore, soliciting door-to-door
is not authorized by Town Ordinances.
Before you get caught in a scam,
ask for identification of anyone soliciting your money. If they
refuse to identify themselves, get their description and call
the police. It is also recommended you call the agencies a
so-called charity representative claims to represent, to check
the validity of a story before you give away your money.
As for Smithfield Police
Department, our typical fund-raising events involve the
Salvation Army, Relay for Life, and our local Community Help In
Progress (C.H.I.P.) program (and CHIP constituents). If
you have any questions, contact Smithfield Police Department at
(757) 357-3247.
You've Won Money (Lottery Scam)
- Protect Your Bank Account
A citizen called in to Smithfield Police Department to
advise that he received two calls recently regarding money he
had won. The scam caller claimed to be a lawyer who would
be handling the transfer of funds, and that he would need to
collect his fee before the money could be transferred into the
citizen's account. Scam artists will try to get you to
send hundreds or even thousands of dollars in promise of a large
sum of money. Other scam artists may ask you to confirm
your bank account number so that they can transfer money to you.
DO NOT give your account number to anyone over the phone.
ALWAYS err on the side of caution.
Contractor Fraud - 10 Tips
to Protect You
The time of year is upon us when contractors are everywhere,
making additions and repairs to our homes and businesses.
Smithfield Police have responded to complaints from citizens
that some of these contractors are running scams to get your
money.
Persons involved in contracting
scams will come to residents and advise that they have extra
materials and will provide their services at a discounted rate,
claiming it to be high quality work. The contractors later then
claim additional expenses, attempting to gain more money.
SPD endorses the following 10 tips
from Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational
Regulation (DPOR) to prevent this from happening to you:
1. Hire only licensed
contractors.
2. Check contractor’s license at
www.dpor.state.va.us
or (804) 367-8511
3. Get three references, review past work.
4. Get at least three bids.
5. Pay 10% down, or $1,000, whichever is less.
6. Don’t pay cash.
7. Get a written contract and don’t sign anything until you
completely understand the terms.
8. Don’t let payments get ahead of work. Keep record of
payments.
9. Don’t make final payment until you’re satisfied with the
job.
10. Keep a job file of all papers relating to your project.
Guard Your
Credit Card
