Dec 08, 2011
By Stephan Johnson
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB)
An elderly Louisville woman is out thousands of dollars this holiday season. That's after she was conned by a man who claimed he was an LG&E contractor.
"Well, I am mad. He said he was from LG&E," says Joyce Gibson, the victim's sister.
Gibson has a lot to be mad about. On Tuesday, the man came to their home in the Highlands and told her 89-year-old sister he had been working on their home.
"He said they had to run a dummy line so we wouldn't lose power."
But it appears the only thing he really had to run was a scam.
"He said there was a small fee," Gibson said. I do not consider $2200 dollars a small fee."
The ladies wrote the man a check and even got a receipt; however, they soon realized he wasn't an LG&E employee.
"I thought something was strange 'cause I looked at his truck and I didn't see LG&E on it," Gibson said.
That was the first red flag, but not the only one. LG&E sent us a statement saying customers should always ask to see "the person's company-issued employee or contractor identification card."
And always look for the LG&E logo on the side of the vehicle.
Metro police are now investigating the crime.
"We don't believe he had a badge or a picture ID and LG&E is stressing to the community that no one would just show up at random; they will give some type of notice," said Det. John Fogle, with LMPD Crimes Against Seniors.
Fogle says you also don't have to stop with checking the ID.
"Even if they still question that, they should at least call either the police or LG&E and verify they do have a man in the area," Fogle said.
"Sad thing is this could have been prevented," said Gibson.
Not only could it have been prevented, but Gibson now admits they could have done more to protect themselves and their money. "We should have asked for ID; we know better and we didn't."
The suspect is described as a middle-age white male with wavy hair. He was driving a green pickup truck with an extended cab.
Copyright 2011 WDRB News. All Rights Reserved.
SOURCE: WDRB
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