DAVENPORT – Law enforcement in the Quad Cities is currently warning of scam artists who gain entry to unsuspecting person’s homes under the guise of businesses or utility companies and then rob or burglarize them.
The Davenport Police Department is alerting residents of a current home burglary scam taking place in and around the Quad Cities. Scammers of this kind are able to move on to other areas quickly and could find victims elsewhere in the state. Groups of typically two to five individuals impersonate businesses such as the utility companies and home repair contractors, as well as offering their services to shovel walks or remove tree stumps. They use this deceptive practice in an attempt to gain entry into a house so they can commit a burglary and take the residents belongings.
In this type of scam, the phony workers target homes to burglarize when no one is expected home; or, they work as a team to distract the occupant in order to gain access into the home. Typically, these burglars will knock on your door and be very persistent in distracting you, while their partners enter your home and burglarize it. These scam artists will try to make the potential victim panic by stating there is some kind of emergency, hoping to catch you off guard so you will let them inside your home. One example is as follows, “There is a water main break in your neighborhood and we have to test the water in your home right away.”.
Tips to avoid becoming a victim of this ruse:
– Always keep your windows and doors locked, even when you are home.
– Always look out a window to see who is at your door. Make sure the person sees you. This lets them know that someone is actually home.
– Never open your door to anyone you do not know. Do not give them an opportunity to push the door in.
– Do not be fooled by “phony” uniforms, work vests, or ID badges. If you did not call or request the service, do not open the door.
– Never allow anyone who you do not know; or, a business or service you did not request, enter your home.
– If the scammer refuses to leave and/or continues to pressure you into letting them in, please call “911” immediately.
My single action 45s will make them feel like cowboys. 45 lc is a great round.
When you have two good friends like Smith and Wesson it sure discourages this type of thing.
Go ahead and try to push my door open and you will be met with Bonnie and two German Shepherds! HA