The victim paid the money but the work was never completed and now city leaders want any other potential victims to come forward.
“If you’ve been approached by an individual representing themselves as code enforcement and you now think that they were not code enforcement officers, we ask you to call Springfield police right away,” said Shannon Meadows, Springfield community development director.
Potential victims can call Springfield police at 937-324-7685.
Code enforcement officers wouldn’t knock at your door without prior notice that a violation had occurred, Meadows said. Homeowners first receive a violation notice in the mail.
Jessica Deaver’s neighbor on Beatrice Street lost thousands of dollars paying a tree-trimming company for work after one of the employees claimed to be doing work on behalf of the city.
“If this is what you’re up to, if this is what you were doing, we’re going to take a stand, we’re going to turn you in and we’re going to make sure you don’t get to victimize anyone else,” Deavers said.
The alleged scammers left a business card for M&M Forestry at the victim’s home, but business owner Melvin Belle denied being a part of the scam.
An employee went to the Beatrice Street home and did the work under the company’s name and was driving the company’s truck at the time of the scam, Belle said, but has since been fired.
“I’m going to make sure everything is taken care of,” Belle said, adding that he would reimburse the victim for any money that was paid.
Springfield police are investigating, Meadows said, and Belle said he’s cooperating with them.
Business experts said there are ways you can protect yourself from falling victim to similar scams.
“Once you have picked a tree service you feel comfortable with, never pay for a tree removal or tree trimming project of any kind until you are 100 percent satisfied with the work,” Better Business Bureau Miami Valley President and CEO John North said.
If a tree service demands a customer pay in cash or pay before the work is done, North said that could be a “red flag.”
Meadows also said people should look for properly marked city vehicles if someone is claiming to be a city of Springfield employee.
City workers drive in marked cars and code enforcement officers carry a badge and city ID card, Meadows said.
It’s sickening any company would prey on seniors in Springfield, Deavers said, and she and others hope to donate time and money to help her neighbor clean up his yard properly.
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