Several new scams have recently been reported in our Valley, and it is to your benefit to be aware of how they work. Take a minute to read up on how fraudsters are operating in our neighborhoods.

Fake Delivery Drivers

These scammers are active in our area, wearing shirts and hats to look like legitimate delivery drivers. A crook shows up on your doorstep and knocks on your door. You are told a few weeks ago a pricey item, such as a laptop, was delivered to your address by mistake.

Flimsy evidence is presented, like a cell phone image, as proof you received the delivery.

The crook then asks for the return of the item so you won’t be charged for it. When you say you know nothing about any delivery, the scammer says you have to pay up NOW or be put up for collection. If anyone shows up at your home in a uniform with this story, close the door and call the police.

Sweepstakes Fraud

Sweepstakes scams continue to plague our area.

You might get a phone call, text, letter or email saying you’ve won millions in a sweepstakes prize. Thrilled with your luck, you make contact to claim your nonexistent prize.

The crooks tell you that your sweepstakes payment will be sent as soon as you pay taxes and fees on your prize, usually through gift cards, wire transfers or cash. We aren’t talking pocket change in these scams — an area resident recently lost $100,000 trying to collect a $10 million prize. Remember what your parents told you: “If it seems too good to be true, it is.”

Phony Vehicle Purchases in Your Name

A lot of things can happen if your personal information is stolen. Several folks in the area have been contacted by banks for delinquent payments on cars bought in their names by scammers using stolen personal information.

It can take months to unravel these situations.

Unless you are absolutely certain of who you are dealing with, NEVER share your social security, drivers license, banking or birthdate information. Always ignore any request for personal information from any kind of electronic source.

Callers Impersonating

Bail Bondsmen

This is a new twist on the familiar “Grandma, I’m in jail” scam. A caller phones you claiming to be a police officer after your grandchild has been arrested. The “officer” will tell you that your grandchild has already been beaten up in jail, and you need to come to the rescue with a bail bond payment.

The officer gives you a phone number to contact a fake bondsman, who is waiting for your call and then demands payment in gift cards. You are on the line with a scammer, so hang up. Then follow up with a call to your grandchildren to make sure they are OK.

Door-to-Door Scams

Municipalities have different regulations on door-to-door salespeople. Some areas prohibit any type of door-to-door soliciting.

Other areas allow it after a salesperson has passed a criminal background check and issued a door-to-door permit. A few weeks ago, a fast-talking young fellow appeared on my porch selling home improvement services.

I asked him to show me the required permit to solicit in our township, which he could not produce.

Our police department later confirmed this individual was never issued a soliciting permit and was probably up to no good. Familiarize yourself with the rules governing door-to-door sales in your area.

We are in the middle of another hot, humid and glorious summer in the Valley. Put on your sunscreen, wear a hat and do something to enjoy the season. Stay cool and stay safe! And remember to think long and hard before sending off your personal information or money to anyone for any reason.

Dave Long is a former scam caseworker for Lifespan of Rochester. He gives monthly talks on scams targeting older adults at the Poland Township Government Center on Dobbins Road at 1 p.m. on the fourth Thursday each month. Dave also gives scam talks to older adult groups throughout Northeastern Ohio.