WFCN –
This story should serve as a cautionary tale to everyone, but notably to the elderly, about the dangers of doing business with unknown people on social media.
The prevalence of social media has made it easier for con artists to spread false information and rip off unsuspecting customers with enticingly low prices and no way to know for sure if the folks you’re dealing with are legitimate.
Those bargains might appear attractive at first glance, but they could wind up costing you a pretty penny down the road. Details of a serial con artist who stole several thousand dollars from an elderly couple were shared with us by the Smith County Sheriff’s Office.
An ad for asphalt paving was seen by an elderly couple in Smith County, Missouri, on Facebook in March of 2020.
Source – Yahoo
After contacting the listed number, the happy couple engaged asphalt contractor Timothy Mark Adams to pave their driveway. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office released a statement stating that they had paid Adams $3,000 up front but had never gotten any work done.
This case, along with others like it involving Timothy Adams, was turned over to the Smith County Investigators. Investigators in Hoover, Alabama, who were looking into Adams for comparable schemes, were also communicated with via correspondence.
In 2020, through the DA’s office, Smith County Investigators procured a Grand Jury Indictment and two Felony Theft warrants against Timothy Mark Adams. Shortly after that, Adams disappeared and even threatened one of the victims via text message.
A total of four states—Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, and Texas—found out that Adams was con artists.
The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office in Florida
John Partlow, the Smith County Fraud Investigator, obtained information regarding Timothy Mark Adams’ probable location on July 29, 2024. In Taylor County, Florida, he learned that Adams might be residing in a recreational vehicle park.
After Detective Partlow communicated with investigators from the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, Timothy Mark Adams was located in a Perry, Florida RV park. On multiple warrants, Adams was apprehended, and he is now awaiting extradition to Smith County.
Following this piece of advise from Det. Partlow will help you avoid being caught:
You should never trust a home repair service provider without first doing extensive background checks.
If you don’t need to pay for materials while the job is underway, wait to pay for services until they’re finished.
Every year, consumers lose thousands of dollars to asphalt driveway scammers, who are among the most common types of this type of fraud.
Everyone, exercise caution.