I, too, just received this email and, so, after reading the replies to the original post, questioned the person who sent it to me. Since her email indicated that she, personally, had confirmed this with Deputy Bennett of the Sumter Count Sheriff's Department, I questioned her about it. She replied that, YES, she had spoken with him and he confirmed it. She is a person of integrity.

I believe that whoever originated the email may have referred to the electrical box because he/she did not a.) remember exactly what the scammer said or b.)the scammer was counting on the homeowner to be uninformed enough to allow him to do whatever no good he was up to because we all fear smoke coming from anything electrical and he didn't care whether or not he was accurate.

They caught him!
 

From the districtgov.org site.


Important Notice from Lady Lake Police Department
The Lady Lake Police Department has announced the arrest of Justin Crouch for fraudulent acts against homeowners in our area. Mr. Crouch is believed to have been turning the electrical power to residences off and then knocking on the homeowner’s door, telling the homeowner that he noticed smoke coming from the home’s power panel. It has been reported that Mr. Crouch would then state that he could assist in returning power to the home. After negotiating a repair rate, it is believed that Mr. Crouch would simply turn the power back on.

Mr. Crouch is believed to have perpetrated this scheme in several communities. He usually used his name and phone number. Homeowners impacted by Mr. Crouch’s alleged activities should contact the Lady Lake Police Department as soon as possible at 352-751-1565

Bogie, how very vigilant of you!

...

I was sceptical about this scam and I was wrong. I am glad they caught the rascal.

Per the officers I talked to, the kid keeps getting out & keeps doing it. :mad: and his friends were doing it too....

Some companies put a main breaker outside, some dont. The reason for this is if there is a fire, they can turn the power off to the entire house, outside, instead of inside. Eletric and water dont mix, so if the FD can turn it off first, it is better. All electric boxes rated for outdoor use are UL listed to have a locking tap, just put a pad lock on it.

First with all sincerity I welcome you to TOTV but have to ask why you revived this old thread?

OLD, OLD Thread!!!

As for scams....the other night, late--it was after 10:30-- the phone rang late (we do have a land-line). Caller ID said Private Number. I did answer though as we have had calls from folks we know that said this. Anyway a female voice said "I'm your neighbor ______, can you please please help me? I'm out of toilet paper and some other things--the husband is gone and I can't get to the store to get them!" I then asked "what is your husband's name?" She gave me one...I told her "I don't have a neighbor with these names!" then hung up on her!! I do have one with the woman's name but her husband's was different PLUS their home was dark (gone to bed, or gone).

I'm thinking somehow they were picking #'s out of the phone-book and perhaps casing homes in the event folks didn't answer! Don't know!!! I maybe could have called the police but what could they do with a phone call like this?? Just be aware...that desperate (lazy) folks will do most anything that's illegal for their own benefit thinking "old" folks can be duped!!!

Just remember this. Anyone who says they are from a utility,water, gas,telephone,electric, will have a ID BADGE with their picture on it. Ask to see it . If they are from any of the utilities ,they will have one. A little off the thread but important to know.

Last Friday I had some guy come to the door asking us to sign up for the three pack deal with CenturyLink. You had to decide right away because the deal was ending. He did have a CenturyLink shirt on. I did not let him. I asked him for his card and he said he ran out of them. I went outside then and there was no truck. I asked him where his truck was and he said it was up the block. I said no thanks. He left on foot. I called my friend who lives up the block and she said he was at her house also. She did not know whether he had a truck or not. She called the Community Watch and they said that they were aware of it. It appears that CenturyLink was dropping people off to drum up business - not sure if that is true or not but that is what my friend told me.

There are so many scams in TV that I only answer the phone when I recognize the caller or phone number. I only answer the door for people I know. If a caller does get though nd begins to make a pitch i hang up. so when I read a thread like this I don't score it as factual or not but make note of the scam and file it away in my brain