ELMORE CITY, OK -- Officials with the Garvin County Sheriff's Department are looking for a man whom, they say, is using the fear of lightning strikes to scam the elderly.
Last month, 83-year-old Bennie Mercer says, a man convinced him that he needed lightning rods installed on his Elmore City house to protect his property.
Bennie, who was away from home at the time of their conversation, says he was quoted a price of $88.
He says the man then went to his house and told Bennie's wife that her husband agreed to pay $8800 for the project.
Ruth Mercer says she trusted the man, and was convinced he was legitimate after he showed her a "Lightning Protection Equipment" certification document.
Authorities say that certification was not authentic and did not list a business name. Officials say the man was seen on a bank surveillance photo, cashing the Mercer's check immediately after installing inferior equipment.
"I didn't think about him ripping me off or anything that way," Mercer says. "I trust people. I learned a lesson."
Officials fear the lightning rod installer may be scamming other elderly couples so they're urging anyone with information to call the Garvin County Sheriff's department.
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Copyright 2009 KFOR-TV-DT. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Last month, 83-year-old Bennie Mercer says, a man convinced him that he needed lightning rods installed on his Elmore City house to protect his property.
Bennie, who was away from home at the time of their conversation, says he was quoted a price of $88.
He says the man then went to his house and told Bennie's wife that her husband agreed to pay $8800 for the project.
Ruth Mercer says she trusted the man, and was convinced he was legitimate after he showed her a "Lightning Protection Equipment" certification document.
Authorities say that certification was not authentic and did not list a business name. Officials say the man was seen on a bank surveillance photo, cashing the Mercer's check immediately after installing inferior equipment.
"I didn't think about him ripping me off or anything that way," Mercer says. "I trust people. I learned a lesson."
Officials fear the lightning rod installer may be scamming other elderly couples so they're urging anyone with information to call the Garvin County Sheriff's department.
Contact KFOR News directly by clicking here if you would like to submit a news story tip or suggestion.
Copyright 2009 KFOR-TV-DT. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
