Police: Be wary of strangers knocking at your door

OXFORD — Oxford police are warning local residents not to do business with people who go door-to-door after an elderly woman was scammed out of $1,800 last week.

A 96-year-old woman reported to police that she paid two men $1,800 for tree-trimming work and to rake leaves and clean the gutters of her home at about noon Nov. 5. The men did minimal work cutting low branches and raking before leaving to cash her check, said Oxford police Sgt. Jim Squance.

Squance said similar reports have come in from other communities.

“This is the time of the year where the elderly can be scammed by people going door-to-door,” Squance said. “I wouldn’t do any business with people you don’t know that just come door-to-door.” Squance said anyone in need of services should call the Better Business Bureau or look for a reputable local company in the phone book.

Police are investigating the incident.

Contact this reporter at (513) 523-4139 or mengle@coxohio.com.

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