News You Can Use
ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT:
The public is encouraged to follow the following guidelines and safety tips:
CONTRACTUAL WORK:
- Get at least three estimates from at least three different contractors. Check and verify all references supplied by the contractor. Shop around!
- Check to see if the contractor is licensed in the State of Maryland and/or locally.
- Know the difference between proposals (estimated costs) and contracts (specified costs) and ask for a written warranty or guarantee with your contract.
- Be sure the contract describes the service(s) to be performed, lists the materials to be used and includes a starting and expected completion date.
- Be cautious of companies that require advanced payments.
- Contact the Better Business Bureau to file a complaint for the non-delivery of services or check with them ahead of time to see if there were prior complaints. File a consumer complaint with the Maryland Attorney General Consumer Protection Division for the non-delivery of services.
UTILITY WORKER SCAMS:
- Deception burglars often work in pairs and target the elderly. Check on your neighbors if you observe workers at their residence.
- Be suspicious of utility workers who arrive unannounced, have unmarked vehicles and insist on performing work inside your home.
- Request identification first and call to confirm that the company has workers in the area and that the specified type of work would actually need to be conducted
inside of the home.
- When someone insists on entering your home or acts in a suspicious manner, immediately call the police department to investigate.
- If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
SPRINGTIME SAFETY:
- Secure all lawn and household power equipment, bikes and ATV’s in locked sheds or garages. Also, consider running a chain through items as this is a deterrent to thieves attempting to act quickly.
- Engrave your valuables and record the model and serial numbers from your property.
- While working in your yard, keep your home, shed and/or garage locked and a have your keys handy as opportunistic thieves will take advantage of distracted homeowners.
- Keep windows and patio doors locked.
- Consider installing motion sensor lighting.
SASTC Member Contributed News
New Feature!
Now YOU can post news WE can use! If you have some interesting bit of news you would like to share with the SASTC community, please do. NOTE: This is NOT for FREE Advertising and let’s keep it “G-rated” or you will get banned from posting any further news.
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Traffic and Best Gas Prices
Here's a great resource to find out where the traffic jams are and where you can buy the lowest priced gas in the area. Check it out!
February 3, 2012
