Over the last few weeks our office has been contacted by concerned residents that have been solicited by email, phone, door to door and US Mail about such items as bail money for a relative they know, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), utility insurance, gas and electricity suppliers, contractors and even the Nigerian Bank scam. Even though some of these may be legitimate businesses (the Nigerian Bank is not, bail money is normally not legit, IRS does not solicit information by phone), we advise you to never give personal information out to anyone by email, mail or phone unless they have been checked out as legitimate. Do not answer your door unless that they have proper identification with them and it is visible. Any person soliciting a product or service door to door must also have a permit from the Village Clerk’s office with them at all times. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to immediately report it to our Police Department by calling 9-1-1. They have no objection coming and checking on your home or business. You can also check out websites for scam prevention information and tips from the Better Business Bureau at www.upstateny.bbb.org or the NYS Consumer Protection Board at www.dos.ny.gov/consumerprotection/. Both sites have a “scam alert” button on their home page.
