18 October 2011

Driveway numbers scam

18 October 2011 | By johnboy

ACT Policing is warning the community that a driveway number-painting scam is again operating in Canberra after an incident over the weekend resulted in an elderly lady being defrauded.

Around midday on Sunday, October 16, a man approached the back door of an elderly woman’s house in Watson and was invited in by the woman. The man offered to re-paint the house numbers on her driveway in exchange for cash. The woman handed over some cash to the man, who then left without performing the work.

The man is described as Caucasian in appearance, aged between 30 to 40 years old, approximately 178cm (5’10”) tall and spoke with an Australian accent.

There have been similar incidents reported to ACT Policing previously, and police are urging the community to be alert for any suspicious behaviour in their neighbourhood.

Superintendent Mick Calatzis said there are steps people can take to reduce the chances of being scammed.

“Always check the credentials of sales people when they come to your door. Talk to these people through a locked security door and if you’re unsure about their motives, ask them to leave. If they won’t leave, contact the police,” he said.

Anyone who may be able to assist police with the investigation is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the website at act.crimestoppers.com.au. Information can be provided anonymously.

Further information on home and personal safety can be found in the Home and Personal Safety Guide.

[Courtesy ACT Policing]

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LSWCHP10:10 pm 18 Mar 12

Some dude came to more door in Giralang about a month ago offering this service, and I sent him on his way.

He wasn’t “Mick”, and he was polite enough, bit if I want numbers on my driveway I’ll do it myself.

fabforty7:27 pm 18 Mar 12

If he is so aggressive, why are people still opening their doors for him ? And with kids in the house !Have we learned nothing ?

astrojax2:19 pm 18 Mar 12

or he is legit, but lazy..?

OpenYourMind9:57 am 18 Mar 12

screaming banshee said :

They’re at it again in Kaleen, it wasn’t Mick but mrs B said it could have matched the 5’10” aussie and he had rubbish teeth and greasy hair.

Mrs B isn’t a sucker so sent him on his way, but can I suggest that if anyone has fallen for the scam I would recommend removing the signpost that says ‘scam the person that lives here’.

Oh yeah, and he gave some lousy story about having lost his job and his kid has a terminal disease, and the price has gone up to $30.

It’s funny you mention the poor teeth, as a nurse friend of ours talks about the ‘tats to teeth ratio’. If there’s lots of tats and few teeth, the patient is likely to be a little more difficult.

screaming banshee9:17 am 18 Mar 12

They’re at it again in Kaleen, it wasn’t Mick but mrs B said it could have matched the 5’10” aussie and he had rubbish teeth and greasy hair.

Mrs B isn’t a sucker so sent him on his way, but can I suggest that if anyone has fallen for the scam I would recommend removing the signpost that says ‘scam the person that lives here’.

Oh yeah, and he gave some lousy story about having lost his job and his kid has a terminal disease, and the price has gone up to $30.

Tooks1:05 pm 19 Oct 11

ex-vectis said :

>The man is described as Caucasian in appearance, aged between 30 to 40 years old, approximately 178cm (5’10”) tall and spoke with an Australian accent.

Wow, with that description suprised they haven’t nabbed him! Especially with an Australian accent – cant be many of them around Canberra….

You’re right. They shouldn’t release a description at all.

poetix12:37 pm 19 Oct 11

scorch76 said :

This guy ‘Mick’ pressured my partner into it for a second time in two years (At home middle of the day with two kids under 4!)

She was scared and put off by the fact he almost smashed the door in with his knocking and was unsure of the reaction if she said no.

Funnily enough this bloke wrote a handwritten reciept (using a recipt book) which included a five year guarantee. Of course after 6 months the painting is gone.

I’m hoping this upstanding businessman pays a visit when I’m home, because one way or another he’s going to repaint my number for free…

This reminds me of some of the windscreen cleaners at intersections (not all, some are polite) who won’t take no for an answer. They seem to pick on women more than men, knowing that some women are more likely to be intimidated into giving them money. They never harass my husband, for example, who has perfected staring into the middle distance. I tend to roll down my window and tell them to go away if they ignore my requests not to touch the window, but I can see why people wouldn’t want to do this.

peterepete11:09 am 19 Oct 11

My neighbour and i had a lapse in concentration/sympathetic error a few weeks back and ponied up some dollars for a pretty half-arsed job. The stencils he used were pretty crappy and inferior to those used by the last guy i was ripped off by. I didnt feel threatened in any way – may not have been mick.

ex-vectis10:19 am 19 Oct 11

>The man is described as Caucasian in appearance, aged between 30 to 40 years old, approximately 178cm (5’10”) tall and spoke with an Australian accent.

Wow, with that description suprised they haven’t nabbed him! Especially with an Australian accent – cant be many of them around Canberra….

Tooks9:55 am 19 Oct 11

Jivrashia said :

DUB said :

and offered to paint the numbers, so “Ambulance can see it in case of emergency”.
Similar stories, anyone?

Yeah, I got done as well.
To add insult to injury he also graffiti-ed my driveway with my house number… oh wait.

Just saying that there are genuine people doing a good job.

He may have done a good job, but that doesn’t mean he is genuine. If you’re home, he has a chance to make an easy $20. If you’re not at home, he has a chance to make a whole lot more.