The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office issued a warning Monday morning about pine straw scammers in the area after receiving several reports from the community.
According to a social media post from the agency, they received several calls on Dec. 29 about the alleged scammers in neighborhoods in the northeast portion of the county.
The three male suspects were reportedly driving a red pickup truck and were overcharging for pine straw.
"They would offer to lay the pine straw at a certain price then demand a much higher price after laying a small amount of pine straw," the post reads.
The scammers would then refuse to leave until they were paid. The homeowners reportedly did not pay them and the sheriff's office responded to the scene.
The agency said this is a well-known scam in which people go door-to-door claiming they will sell pine straw to residents. They quote a low price before they start, then double or triple the price when they are done.
The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office recommended using a reputable landscape company, not a door-to-door seller. Additionally, get a written estimate and never pay upfront, and make sure they inform you immediately if there is an increase in cost.
