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Norwalk Police Warn Of Fraud Scheme Targeting Landscapers

NORWALK, Conn. -- Norwalk Police are warning about a new fraud scheme that is hitting area landscapers.

Norwalk Police are warning of a scam targeting area landscaping companies.

Norwalk Police are warning of a scam targeting area landscaping companies.

Photo Credit: Casey Donahue

Police said that under the scam, a person will contact a landscape company and request services. The person will agree to pay the landscaper for services, but also asks if he can pay additional money. The suspect then requests that the landscaper pay the additional funds to a subcontractor, such as a plumber or electrician, who will also be doing work at the location, police said.

Ultimately the landscaper pays the alleged subcontractor, but then discovers that the check or credit card are fraudulent, police said. The landscaper loses his money, and never gets paid for services rendered.

Police said that the suspects typically choose houses that are for sale as the locations for the landscaping. This type of fraud has been attempted on multiple landscaping companies, police said.

"We warn all landscapers to be aware and to meet with their customers face to face prior to starting work," police said. "Do not accept work by text message only."

Anyone with information on these schemes is asked to contact the Norwalk Detective Division at (203) 854-3011.

Anonymous tips can be left at the Norwalk Police Tip Line at (203) 854-3111. Anonymous Internet tips can be sent to Norwalk Police website at www.norwalkpd.com. Anonymous text tips can be submitted by typing "NPD" into the text field, followed by the message, and sending it to CRIMES (274637).

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