PAGE 3 - December 31, 2008
The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
Travelers Find Victims in Citrus County
From the Citrus County Sheriffís Dept.
ers will try to convince their victims that it
isn't a scam. They might give the names of a
Criminals known as “travelers” roam the
few of your neighbors and say that they’ve
nation much of the year, working as painters,
done work for them before. They also might
roofers, sealers, tree trimmers and pavers.
tell you that they’re "booked solid until
Their world, according to law enforcement
March", but that they'd be happy to put you
officials who've studied them for years, is
on the waiting list for a small deposit. What-
deliberately isolated and highly secretive.
ever the line or lie, travelers are working a
During the winter months, they typically will
contractor scam, and you should shut the
travel to warmer climates. Travelers enter
door immediately. No reputable home improve-
neighborhoods and usually target the elderly
ment contractor goes door-to-door looking
to victimize.
for work.
Travelers’ various home improvement
Usually, you can expose this contrac-
contractor scams may seem pretty innocent
tor scam by requesting printed material. Trav-
at first. You're doing chores around the house
elers won't have any – usually they won't even
on a lazy Saturday afternoon when your door-
carry a business card – because they really
bell rings. You answer to find a presentable-
don’t want to work on your house. They just
looking worker standing at your door. He tells
want you to agree to their services, and hope-
you he's noticed that your driveway is
The shrimp boat Desperado Sunday was in day 4 of defying man's efforts and the swiftness of
fully pay for the job in advance. If they do
cracked, or your shingles need replacing, or
the rising tides on the Withlacoochee River near Inglis. Saul Salas, manager of Allen's Seafood
come back to do the work, it will probably be
your home could use some paint. He might
& Bait is readying the boat for another try on the next low tide. The 18 foot by 46 foot boat hit
with substandard materials. They won't have
say that he's new to the area or just passing
what is believed to have been a log a week ago Monday and went down. The plan is to get
a clue about how to do the job properly, and
through the neighborhood on the way home
permission from the Town of Yankeetown and property owner Wickman to allow the Desperado,
you'll end up with a sizable hole in your bank
from a job. He wants to know if you're inter-
once afloat to be lifted out on the basin property and repaired. Photo by Sally Price
balance.
ested in low-cost home improvement services.
Transmission Lines  - Continued from page 1
How can citizens fight back? Before you
Don't be fooled, however, because you’re talk-
ever hire contractors off the street, make cer-
ing with a traveler.
other informational materials. 4 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13, at the National Guard Armory,
tain that you check their credentials first. Do
In two cases recently, travelers black-
8551 W. Venable St., Crystal River, FL 33426. 4 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, at the
they have a state license? Do they have in-
topped the victims’ driveways, overcharging
Brooksville Elks Lodge, 14494 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, FL 34613. 4 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday,
surance? Ask to see these documents, as
them by thousands of dollars while perform-
Jan. 15, at West Citrus Elks Lodge, 7890 W. Grover Cleveland Blvd., Homosassa, FL 34446
well as references from past jobs. Check to
ing poor quality work. Fortunately, one of
see if the license is current or if any complaints
Realty
the victims suffered no monetary loss. The
have been filed against these individuals by
victim’s banking institution suspected a scam
calling the Citrus County Building Division
when the woman came to withdraw several
at 527-5310. Always get a quote for the job in
thousand dollars in cash, as the pavers de-
Sally Price, Realtor
writing, and then compare it with quotes from
manded. What they were charging was sig-
19 Hwy 40 W.
(352) 302-8556 cell
other contractors. In other words, do your
nificantly higher than what a local contractor
Inglis
homework first. And don’t be pressured into
would have charged for the same job.
paying cash up front.
In the third case, the home improvement
"SEE ME, LOVE ME" 14091 WEST RIVER ROAD $599,000
Citizens also can call the Sheriff’s Office
contractor scam involved bringing lightning
Luxury describes this beautiful 3/2 home on deep
at 352-726-4488 and ask for community affairs
arresters on the victim’s roof up to “state
water. From the entrance wall to the palm lined
if they have concerns about being scammed
code.”
drive across 1.51 acres you will feel like you are
on home improvements.
There are several ways in which travel-
entering a plantation. extras in this beauty in-
CCVC Open Business Meeting 4th Thursday Every Month
clude: chiseled edge marble, granite counter tops,
The Citrus County Veterans Coalition returns to their regularly scheduled business
travertine, beech wood cabinets. Large open floor
meetings, after the holidays, on the 4th Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. in the Veterans
plan 3/2 home. Watch the river as you cook in
Service Officer Classroom at the Citrus County Resource Center in Lecanto. All honorably
your gourmet kitchen. 36 x 48 giant 4 car garage/
discharged veterans, veterans’ organizations and veteran widows and wives, interested in
workshop with 2 8 x 16 roll up doors. In the county.
working on projects dedicated to helping veterans in need, are invited to attend the meetings
NEED LISTINGS OF MOBILES - HAVE RENTAL REFERRALS
and join the Coalition. Individual membership is now based on a calendar year for a $10.00
contribution per year or 3 years for $25.
A.B.A.
Hair Port
Coastal
at Plaza 40
A/C & Heating,Inc.
Carting
Shopping Center
“Your Electric Bill Reduction Specialists”
“Your
Hwy. 40E, Inglis
Roll-Off Container Service
• 100% Financing
• Commercial
(352) 212-0405
Contractors/Homeowners
• Visa & MasterCard
Refrigeration
10-20-30 yd.
Call for Appointment
• 30 Years Experience
• Residential
Walk-Ins Welcome
Dumpsters
• Commercial
Lamar & Big John
Ask Us About
Construction Debris
• Mobile Homes
Ultra Violet Air Filtering
Yard Waste
Removes nearly 100%
of germs & dust
Family Salon
Reduce Sickness & Allergies
Men • Women • Kids
Family Owned & Operated
Perms • Color • Hi-Lites
Locally Owned & Operated
Starting at $45
Licensed & Insured
352-447-3040
Licensed & Insured
Womens Cuts - $12
352-465-5020
Clipper Cuts - $8
License #CACO 57707