Beware of “Con Artists”, smooth talking criminals who try to separate you from your money through trickery and deceit. They can be men or women who work alone, in pairs or in groups. They may stop you on the street, call you on the telephone, or ring your doorbell pretending to be repair people, building inspectors, meter readers, or any type of service person.

With spring just around the corner, here are a few tips to avoid becoming a victim:

• Be suspicious of friendly strangers who offer goods or services at low rates.

• Beware of friendly strangers who tell you they have found money and want to share it with you.

• Be suspicious of telephone calls from someone claiming to be a bank official asking you to withdraw money from your account for any reason.

• Be alert to schemes that involve removing your savings or other valuables from safekeeping and turning them over to somebody else.

• Install a wide-angle peephole in your door to get a fuller view of outside area.

• Do not open your door until you are sure of your visitor’s identity.

Several of the most popular scams relate to home improvements or repairs. The scam begins by an individual coming to your door because he or she “was in the neighborhood on a roofing job, noticed your roof could use some repairs, and since he had left over materials, he could offer you a good deal.”

This same pitch could deal with driveway resurfacing, chimney repair, furnace inspection, and many other types of services. Citizens should remember that reputable companies do not solicit door-to-door and any legitimate sales person must have a valid permit from the City of Rahway to solicit.

Be sure to inspect identification of those who state they are “here to check your water meter,” gas meter, etc. Con Artists will distract you while pretending to be checking your meter while a second individual removes valuables from your home.

Do not hesitate to notify the Rahway Police Department at (732) 827-2200 of any suspicious activity in your neighborhood. Remember to dial 9-1-1 in case of an emergency. For more information on scams, crime prevention, and personal or home security, please contact the Rahway Police Department Community Relations Office at (732) 669-3612.

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