County Seal of DeKalb County Government

DeKalb County, Illinois

Sheriff's Office

News Release


Latest Information

04/21/2008    8:00  a.m. CST

 

DeKalb County Sheriff's Office wants to alert the public to three current scam possibilities:

 

  1. --Lightning rod sales and repair --
              There has been a report of lightning rod scam activities in Cass County and at least one case in DeKalb County.  In both cases, the individuals indicated they were from Robbins Lighting Inc.  However, in the Cass County case the individual is suspected of being from Missouri, and in the DeKalb County case the subject is from Wisconsin.  In both cases, the subjects have no legitimate connection to Robbins Lightning, Inc., which is a legitimate company.

              In these and similar cases, the subject claims they will replace lightning rods on their building, charging the victim thousands of dollars, far above actual value of work.  The work is done in sub-par quality.  Subjects demand immediate payment and cash the checks as soon as possible.
     

  2. --Telephone solicitation fraud --
              The Stephenson County sheriff advised that a telephone solicitation scam is underway in their county, targeting rural residents.  The caller indicated they are raising funds for the Illinois Sheriff's Association.  This is not true, as neither the association nor the Illinois Chiefs of Police Association ever do telemarketing.  The phone calls seem to be originating from Florida.
     

  3. --Travelers--
              These travelers move throughout the Midwest, performing various home repair fraud and burglaries.  The usual method is to offer driveway sealing or roofing repair at bargain prices.  Their methods involve pressure sales, intimidation and deception.  Often, they divert homeowners while associates burglarize residences.

 


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