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Culpeper woman reports attempted scam Date published: 5/7/2010
BY DONNIE JOHNSTON
An elderly Culpeper woman reported to authorities that a man came to her door and offered to pave her driveway for free. According to Culpeper County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Corey Byers, the man not only made a mess of the job but charged the woman big bucks as well. The woman told police that the man, driving a white van, said he had materials left over from another job and wanted to get rid of them. Then, two hours after the job was done, the man returned with a bill for $1,200, Byers said. When the woman reportedly wrote out two $600 checks, the man allegedly told her to add an extra zero to each and left with $12,000, Byers said. The woman contacted the Sheriff's Office and was able to cancel payment on one check but not the other, Byers said. Investigators allege that the woman's driveway was not properly done and that paving material was sprayed over leaves and gravel and on the side of the house. Investigators are trying to locate the man, who is described as white and in his mid-30s with dark hair. He is about 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs approximately 230 pounds. Anyone with information is asked to call Investigator David Payne at 540/718-1782. Donnie Johnston:
spray-painted her driveway for $50
This Elderly woman, may just very well be in the early stages of some form of dementia, such as Altzheimers. I'd be willing to bet this "business man" has cased the community and spotted her, and targeted her. My mother, who now is in a Nursing Home, has Altzheimers, those first few years, we had to take her keys, checkbook, etc. away. I'd be willing to bet that at one time this woman was very sharp. Don't forget these people have periods of being very lucid to totally confused.
I heard from someone (never verified it) that the words written out on a check for the amount overrides the numeric value entered - if so, then whoever cashed the check for $6000 should be at fault? At least whoever cashed it should have thought it strange that the two values were so drastly different.
I know this woman should have known better, but this rat of a guy needs to be caught.
My theory is if anyone has legitimate business to do, they won't be knocking on doors. I don't answer for strangers. She's lucky she didn't get robbed at knifepoint, or worse. Please folks, discuss things like this with your elderly parents just the way you would with a kid!
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