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Watauga County Sheriff’s Office Warns of Door-to-Door Meat Sellers with High-Pressure Tactics, Intimidation

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFTJTlI78i0&feature=youtu.be[/youtube]

By Jesse Wood

April 15, 2014. Nearly a month after the Boone Police Department warned of door-to-door magazine sellers with high-pressure pitches, the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office received reports of a man and woman with similar tactics selling meat on Monday.

“It was reported that a male and female were allegedly approaching individuals in an attempt to sell meat by using high-pressure tactics and verbal intimidation,” a brief release from Sheriff Len Hagaman reads. “Citizens should be very careful, as similar sales have been reported in other areas of the county and North Carolina – reports allege high pricing per pound, and substandard non FDA inspected meats.”

As for the magazine sellers, the Boone Police Department noted that they were claiming to raise money for worthy causes and was perhaps a scam. At the same time, it warned warned citizens of distraction thefts, which have been rising in number across the nation, and usually involves two people distracting the victim while the other steals. 

Here is how the Boone Police Department described distraction theft and what you can do to prevent such crimes:

“A distraction theft usually is performed by at least two people, although some distraction thieves work alone. When two people work the scam as a team, it usually involves one person distracting the victim, while the other helps themself to the victim’s unattended belongings. These crafty thieves accomplish their distraction in a variety of ways and will use every trick in the book to get inside your home. They may come to the door as a team, pretending to be inspectors, utility workers or sales people for magazines, roofing companies or other home improvements. 

To prevent distraction thefts, you should:

    • Demand identification and examine it closely.
    • Be skeptical of any stranger who asks to enter your home, and be especially wary if two people try to enter. 
    • Keep your back door locked so a scammer doesn’t have easy access while you are engaged on your front porch.

If you encounter someone you think might be a distraction thief, call the Boone Police Department or Watauga County Sheriff’s Office.”