Scam artists working in Bluffton area, police warn

A scam that offers to do low-cost home-improvement work might be operating in the area, according to a news release Friday from the Bluffton Police Department.

The department has received reports of an older white man in a silver truck soliciting door to door to do concrete work. The department also received reports of a younger white man in a black Expedition offering to do low-cost or free carpet work.

Both reports came from residents in the historic district of Bluffton.

The incidents are consistent with "gypsy" groups that travel the East Coast, the news release said. The scam artists, in addition to failing to perform the work offered, gain entry to steal items from the victim's home.

The department advises people to be wary of any of the following:

• Door-to-door solicitations

• The promise of low-cost or free work

• Statements such as, "I was in the area doing a job and had leftover material," or, "my job got canceled and I have extra material."

Any reputable contractor should be able to produce a business license, the release said.

Anyone with information or who sees this type of activity should call 911, the release said.

The following reports were released Saturday by the Beaufort Police Department:

BEAUFORT

THEFT

• Prince Street: $6,215 in cash reported missing from safe.

Compiled by Patrick Donohue