Police Issue Scam Warning

Thursday, November 15th 2007, 11:59 am

By: News On 6

Be aware of a $17 scammer working Tulsa neighborhoods. Several people have emailed The News On 6 about the man. On Thursday, Tulsa Police issued a warning. The News On 6 crime reporter Lori Fullbright reports the man knocks on your door, claims to be a neighbor, says his wife had car trouble and he needs to borrow $17 to pay the tow truck. Money he promises to pay back.

Dozens of people have fallen for it.

"I listen to Dixie Land, you know. I like music that has a beat,â€ said Bill.

He didn't want to go on television, because he was embarrassed he fell for what he now knows is scam, but he agreed to tell his story so others won't fall for the same thing.

"Came around the back all excited in a hurry, you know, and he said, â€˜neighbor, can you help out another neighbor?â€™ He says â€˜my wife had a flat tire and she drove on the rim and ruined the rim and called Triple A and they wouldn't take my check.â€™"

The man asked Bill for $17; although, he approached a woman across the street and told her any amount would do. He told Bill, he and his wife walk in the neighborhood, but told the lady across the street he and his dog take walks. No matter what neighborhood he's in, he claims to live there.

He even goes a step further. Tulsa police say he once opened a mailbox, got the names, say Jim and Roxanne Snyder off the letters, then went to a nearby house to do his scam and said, â€I'm your neighbor Jim Snyder and my wife Roxanne had car trouble,â€ to make his story sound that much more legitimate.

Bill says at the time, it all sounded plausible, but he realized as soon as he handed over the money, he'd been bamboozled.

"After thinking about it, if he's got money in the bank, why not just go to the ATM? There are stores. All with ATM's, instead of going up and down, bothering everybody else,â€ wondered Bill.

The man is clean cut, in his 20's and drives a silver car.

If you've been his victim, report it to police online.

If he shows up at your house, call police or at least get a tag number.

This is the time of year; we're all going to get asked for money. Never, ever give money to anyone who approaches you or calls on the phone, no matter what their story is. The best thing to do is give it to a known charity or church, and let them help those truly in need.

Tulsa Police are asking anyone who has been contacted to call them or file a report can go to www.tulsapolice.org to file an online report.

Watch the video: Scammer At Work In Tulsa Neighborhoods

For more information on scam warnings and how to protect yourself, check out News On 6 crime reporter Lori Fullbright 'Safety Tips' page at www.kotv.com.