Police Warn Residents About a Pine Straw Scam

Residents in one community are being warned to stay vigilant about door-to-door scammers. The latest culprits appear to be people selling pine straw.

The Sandy Springs Police posted about the scam, telling people what to be on the lookout for when it comes to pine straw deliveries. According to the post, there are a few red flags people should be watching for, including unsolicited deliveries. 

But that’s not all; the post also asked residents to take a moment to tell their friends and family members about the scam, hinting at just how common this type of con job has become. 

What’s worse is that The Georgia Sun says that people have been scammed out of thousands of dollars as a result. However, that doesn’t mean people can afford to ignore this warning if they live elsewhere. Con artists tend to take advantage of homeowners using common techniques, which is why it’s worthwhile for residents living outside of the Peach State to get familiar with their methods as well. 

The Police Warn Against Pine Straw Scams

Fortunately for Sandy Springs residents, the police department has posted extensive tips on how to avoid falling victim to pine straw scams, telling people to be wary of anyone who shows up unexpectedly with a delivery. 

Some of the things that warrant extra caution include delivery personnel claiming that straw was already ordered, that your property needs immediate service, or those who begin service without your permission.

Additionally, if you’ve ordered pine straw, you should be cautious when dealing with people who give you a different price from what you were already told, those who pressure you to pay immediately (or in cash), or those who become aggressive when asked to leave. 

People Responded to the Post Online

The post went on to advise any residents dealing with this type of scam to avoid authorizing any work that they didn’t already request. The Sandy Springs Police also say that it’s important to verify any company you’re working with before making payment, and always take before and after photos when having work done. “If someone performs unauthorized work, refuses to leave your property, or you believe you have been defrauded, contact law enforcement,” the post says.

According to the comments, this is an ongoing issue in the region. “This is a gang with multiple trucks/crews,” one person wrote, saying that scammers have been doing this for years. “Slap some RICO charges on them,” they added. 

“And they never put down as much as they say they do, but charge you,” another person wrote, highlighting the importance of before-and-after pictures as well as getting documentation as to what you’re paying for. 

Why Use Pine Straw

If you’ve never heard of pine straw before, you may be wondering why it’s so important that it can be found in the middle of a major scam like this. According to LawnStarter, pine straw is a type of ground cover, much like mulch. People usually opt for pine straw over mulch if they are looking for help with erosion control, or if they are trying to cover a sloped section of land.

Additionally, pine straw tends to be a little more affordable up front (even though the website notes that costs can rise with replenishment).