Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, WV

Princeton Times

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August 13, 2010

Officials warn of frozen food scam, suspicious ‘salesman’

By TAMMIE TOLER Princeton Times

PRINCETON — There may be a fraudulent frozen food salesman making rounds through Mercer County, turning cookie sales into a cold crime.

Tony White, a veteran Schwan’s Food Service route manager, said he had received two reports this week that a man driving a red, late-model Pontiac Grand Prix or Grand Am approached local residents and claimed to represent the business that specializes in selling fine foods door to door in local neighborhoods.

“It’s a scam is what it is,” White said, explaining that the man claimed to be a Schwan’s representative selling frozen cookies on his own time to benefit the Boy Scouts of America.

In one instance, the man allegedly approached a female in her home and convinced her to purchase $15 in cookies.

“All she had was a $20 bill, so he said he’d run down to Melrose Square to get change,” White said. “He took off and never came back.”

Although White said Schwan’s does occasionally team up with community service and charitable organizations, the representatives should still be dressed in their typical uniforms, and they’ll always be driving the trademark Schwan’s freezer trucks.

“We’re just warning people they shouldn’t give money for Schwan’s food to anybody but their regular Schwan’s driver,” White said.

In fact, he cautioned residents to be careful even speaking with the subject in question, since he appeared to be perpetrating fraud and the extent of his motives remain unknown.

Anyone who suspects possible fraudulent schemes should avoid contact with the suspect as much as possible and contact local authorities by calling (304) 425-8911 or the police department servicing the area in question.

— Contact Tammie Toler at ttoler@ptonline.net.

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