Mifflin County Regional Police Department

• Always get several estimates for repair and compare prices and terms. Check to see if there is a price for estimates.
• Ask your friends for recommendations. Ask the company for a list of references and check them.
• Be suspicious of high pressure sales tactics.
• Pay by check, never with cash, so you can stop payment if dissatisfied. Arrange to make payments in installments: one third at the start of the job, one third when the work is nearly completed and one third when the job is done.
• Get a guarantee on any work that is done.

• Everyone knows what a terrific investment property can be. An enterprising sales person may promise you everything to get your name on a contract for a vacation home, an investment property, or a retirement home, but may not guarantee basics like utility hookups.

There’s one major way to avoid becoming a victim to this type of fraud. NEVER BUY ANYTHING SITE UNSEEN!

• Be suspicious of high pressure sales tactics.
• Don’t fall for get rich quick schemes. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• Don’t make your decision alone . Talk it over with a family member or a close friend.
• Never make any investment deals over the telephone.
• Again, if it sounds to good to be true, it is probably a scam to take your money.

• Ask for identification from both the company and the solicitor.
• Find out the purpose of the charity and how the money is used. If you are not comfortable with the answers you get and feel something is not right, don’t give.
• Only give to charities that you know.

Very few frauds are ever reported to police authorities. Victims often say they were too embarrassed to admit they were taken, believe the police can’t do anything or think fraud isn’t a police matter.

• Alert your Neighborhood Block Watch to any known con games in the area.
• Call your consumer protection agency, police department or district attorney if you think you’ve been the victim of fraud.
• Contact the Better Business Bureau to help resolve a complaint
• If you think you’ve been the victim of a mail fraud scheme, keep all the letters and envelopes and contact your nearest Postal Inspector.