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Scam Alerts

This page is to alert our neighbors of attempted scams in the neighborhood. If anyone attempts any of these scams at your door, close and lock your door and call the police.

Some Attempted Scams in Our Neighborhood

Halloween in Hawthorn Farm Village
  1. Woman knocks on the door and explains that she is collecting cans and bottles for charity. Meanwhile her boyfriend is hiding in the bushes to force his way in and burglarize your home if you open the door. This couple usually showed up at unusually late hours like 9 or 10 p.m. Police were called on them.

  2. This fellow claims to be collecting money for an environmental group and wants you to give him money. He also states he is a "financial advisor" and wants you to contract with him to go over your finances. Of course, if anyone falls for this, he not only gains access to your home, he knows your checking account and credit card accounts.

    He hasn't been around in a couple of years, but if you see him, he is about 5'8", with black hair, mustache and heavy black-rimmed glasses. Usually wears shorts and a tee-shirt. The environmental group told us they never collect money in this manner. If this fellow comes to your door, close the door and call police.

  3. Some years ago a fellow was knocking on our doors asking for money for the Portland Rescue Mission. When Portland Rescue Mission was contacted about this, they emphatically told us this person is unknown and that we should not give anyone money who say they are with the Portland Rescue Mission; that they do not collect contributions in this manner.

  4. It has been reported that imposters posing as Hillsboro Water Department or PGE employees are trying to gain entrance into our homes by claiming they need to do work inside.

    Hillsboro Water Department (HWD) and Tualatin Valley Water District (TVWD) want you to know that although they may knock on our doors to ask a few water-related questions, they will never ask to enter our home without a previously-scheduled appointment.

    If someone knocks on your door claiming to be from a water department or PGE, ask to see their ID badge, or call and check with HWD (503) 615-6702 or TVWD (503) 848-3000 or PGE (503) 228-6322 or 800-542-8818. An actual water bureau, district or PGE employee will encourage, not resist, efforts made by a customer to confirm that they are legitimate.

  5. Members of the community are being targeted by a telephone scam in which neighbors are being contacted by someone claiming to be with their utility, or a collection agency working on behalf of the utility. These scammer's are telling customers that they are past due on their account and need to pay immediately or their service will be disconnected. Customers are directed to purchase a Green Dot, MoneyPak or Vanilla Reload prepaid credit card and call the scammer back with the credit card number. As soon as the scammer obtains the serial number off of the pre-paid card, they are able to transfer funds into their own account. Several customers have become victims of the scam and have lost hundreds and thousands of dollars.

  6. A dark-featured male scammer has been knocking on doors claiming to be from ADT to "upgrade the ADT system". ADT states on their website that this is an outright scam. ADT warns that they always make appointments over the phone before sending a representative to your home and they carry official ADT identification. If they do not show official ID, don´t believe them. When in doubt always call 1.800.ADT.ASAP (1.800.238.2727) to confirm a sales rep´s affiliation with ADT.

    This fellow has dark hair, olive skin, about 5'8" and drives a black car, a VW type or Golf. If he is at your door, call the police.