Here is another thing I can remember from past recessions. The scam artists get busy [View All]

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http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/2152402,CST-NWS-scam11.article

As you head into the spring, watch out for scam artists

April 11, 2010

BY MARK LAWTON Pioneer Press

It's springtime, and arriving along with green leaves and budding flowers are the con men of the season.

Cons or scams tend to take three forms. One is the gypsy scam, or ruse entry.

"It's normally two or three or four in a crew," said Northlake Detective Chris Mowinski. Con men spot targets by looking for ramps for disabled people, longer and bigger cars and only one garbage can out on garbage day.

"One guy will act as the door man," Mowinski said. "They'll try to convince {the victim} they're with the power company, cable company or that they are a contractor. Then they try to get the person out of the home and into a backyard or garage or around the corner."

If successful, the other members of the crew enter the home and burglarize it.