Cops: Scam Artists Preying on the Elderly

issued a county-wide warning Thursday, describing a deceptive technique being used to prey upon local seniors.

Two incidents have occurred in the last few days in which people posing as utility home repair workers have lured unsuspecting seniors away from their open doors or enticed them to other areas of their home while an accomplice enters in search of valuables.

The pattern began on Dec. 13 in Massapequa Park, where, police say, an 80-year-old man was decorating his home when he was approached by a male who said he worked for the power company and that they would be working in his yard. The resident was lured into the rear yard and later discovered jewelry missing from an upstairs bedroom.

The second incident occurred in Jericho the next day when an 84-year-old
man answered a knock on his door and was asked if he wanted his gutters cleaned. Police said the subject lured the homeowner into the kitchen while a second subject apparently entered the home and went upstairs.

The homeowner became suspicious and when he told the subject that he was calling the police, the second subject came down the stairs and both subjects left the home and fled the scene in a white van. There was no reported loss.

Nassau County residents are urged to dial 911 when they encounter suspicious persons and/or vehicles.