Residents Scammed In Franklin;

Troopers Warn Others, Be Wary

FRANKLIN – State police at Oneonta are investigating a report that two men posing as utility-company workers perpetrated a scam here, and are warning other homeowner to be alert.

Troopers said the two men, wearing walkie-talkies, distracted two elderly residents in front of their home in Franklin yesterday while someone else sneaked into their home and took cash, jewelry and coins.

One man is described as Hispanic, clean shaven, approximately age 50, 5-foot-3 and 175 pounds, wearing a dark blue sweatshirt with matching sweatpants and a beanie hat.

The second man is described as approximately the same height, a little older with facial hair and blue eyes (with eyes that do not track together), wearing blue jeans, a gray sweatshirt and a baseball cap.

The victims report the men were in a white Honda or Hyundai SUV with out-of-state plates.

If you have any information, call state police at (607) 432-3211 or (607)561-7400.

State Police are advising not to let anyone you don’t know into your home.  Most utility companies will not send a worker unannounced, so ask anyone who shows up in this guise for identification.  If you believe the person is an imposter, call 911 immediately.