SUMMIT COUNTY, Ohio — While many people are out of a job due to the COVID-19 pandemic, experts warn that crooks are still hard at work.
From fake officers for financial assistance to bogus phone calls about COVID-19 test results and now door-to-door con artists, law enforcement officers are warning Northeast Ohioans about crooks who may be trying to take advantage.
As Summit County enters Level 3 of the state’s Public Health Advisory and officials say residents there are on edge, law enforcement officers want to warn Northeast Ohioans loud and clear—if there’s a knock at your front door, it won’t be from the Summit County Health Department.
“They were claiming that they were from Summit County Public Health and they were going test surfaces in their home for COVID-19,” Inspector Bill Holland said.
This warning comes after a Summit County homeowner claims they opened the door to someone posing as a health official trying to get inside the home to take samples of countertops and furniture for COVID-19 particles.
“But thankfully the homeowner turned them away,” Holland said.
Holland is an inspector for the Summit County Sheriff’s Office and said criminals are capitalizing on fear during the COVID-19 pandemic and taking advantage of those who are too trusting.
“Whether they’re going into maybe conduct a robbery once they’re in the home,” Holland said, “Or maybe they’re just casing the house to see if they can spot valuable things to come back later, which we’ve seen that in the past as well.”
Holland said while it may seem like common sense not to answer the door for an unfamiliar face, people experiencing major anxiety about the spread of the virus may be more likely to let their guard down for someone posing as a health official.
“If they came across the right house where people were very frightened and they were to believe that, of course they would want all of their surfaces tested,” Holland said.
The Summit County Sheriff’s Office is asking all residents to practice the “trust but verify” mentality.
“If they claim they’re with Summit County Public Health, ask to see some identification,” Holland said. “They should have identification with them.”
To reach the Summit County Sheriff’s Office, call 330-643-2181.
