Community Corner
DA Warns of Scam Targeting the Elderly
Bogus yard maintenance crews are showing up unannounced, offering to do work for low rates, demanding payment upfront and then leaving without actually doing any work.
In the wake of a series of landscape scams in the South Bay, the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office has teamed up with the to warn residents about a rise in yard maintenance scams targeting elderly homeowners.
The rise in temperatures also means a rise in scam artists who often show up unannounced, offer to do yard work, ask for money up front and then leave without actually doing the work, the DA's office said.
The DA's office says residents should watch out for landscapers who show up without being called, offer unusually low prices and want money up front.
Find out what's happening in Campbellwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
DA officials recommend finding reliable gardeners through friends or neighbors. They also propose calling references and gardeners before asking them to come over to do yard work.
The DA's office, in partnership with the GPD, has made a short YouTube video to alert residents about false tree trimmers, gardeners and landscapers.
Find out what's happening in Campbellwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"If it's too good to be true," Sgt. Chad Gallacinao of the GPD said, "then it probably is."
Citizens who feel they have been a victim of this scam are urged to contact their local police departments. The DA's elder fraud number is 1-(855)-DA-ELDER.
—Bay City News and Michelle Fitzsimmons
