An elderly person attempts to be a teen's grandparent over the phone

Springfield, MO—According to sources, scammers posing as elderly people are calling teens asking them to “bring ‘em their slippers”, “rub grandpa’s feet” and asking for permission to “pinch those cuuuuuuute cheeks” among other things such as money, medicine and fresh baked goods.

The ring of criminal activity targets teens asking them for favors. The callers are counting on the teens’ gullibility and rely on their lack of ability to distinguish one old person voice from another.

17-year-old Nikky Weller confessed, “I like, don’t actually know what my grandmother is saying most of the time so when I got a call from a cranky old person asking me to drop off $400 so she could buy some medicine, I didn’t think twice. I did think it was strange that I had to place the money in a bread sack and throw it on top of the roof at the bus station.”

16-year-old Nate Vicroll said, “I got this call from my grandpa asking me to come over right away as he needed a drink of coffee. I was about half way across town when I realized that my grandfather gave up coffee years ago. To think I almost showed up with a cup of joe for him makes me sick. Who would do that to us?”

Statistics show that most young people hardly ever listen to elders, much less possess the ability to discern voice patterns and inflection among seniors their grandparents’ age. Weller said, “When my grandma speaks its mostly scratchy, drawn out and doesn’t make much sense. So I’m totally like, whateve!”

Teens are urged to confirm the identity of any elderly caller before providing services, exchanging of money or helping a grumpy person across the street.

Chimney sweep scam artists leap from roof to roof in Ozarks, robbing homeowners

Springfield, MO—Citizens are being warned of scam artists posing as chimney sweeps this fall. Homeowners should be particularly warey of groups of chimney sweeps who travel the country singing catchy tunes while performing choreographed dance routines.

Said one would-be victim Seth Goldrun, “I invited a man named Bert into my house who offered to sweep my flue for $25.00 and he said ‘Good luck will rub off when I shake ‘ands with you’. I did not shake hands with him.”

Checking fireplaces across the Ozarks is this band of merry criminals’ specialty. If an unknown person offers to sweep your chimney, you should be suspicious if he uses the phrase “Chim, Chim, Cher-ee”.

To protect yourself, only work with a reputable chimney sweep companies who employ persons with no singing or dancing skills.   You can find complaints with the Better Business Bureau and the Attorney General‘s office if chimney sweeps are found to be dancing on your roof, jumping from house to house. Check to see if they’re certified with the National Chimney Sweep Guild or the Chimney Safety Institute or make this claim: No where is there a more ‘appier crew than them wot sings “chim chim cher-ee chim cher-oo!”