Portsmouth Police warn of door-to-door scams

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) – Knock, knock. Who ‘s there? Possibly a scam.

Portsmouth Police are warning homeowners to be careful when opening their doors to people claiming to be from their bank or mortgage company. It happened in a Portsmouth neighborhood on Beaton Drive.

“Our neighbor actually went to her house, I mean she came to her house and rang the doorbell and asked questions,” said Malik Jones. “As an indication of how much they still owed, they told her ‘We’re off the bank.’ She said: If you come from the bank, you should know all this information.”

Better Business Bureau officials say it is an “impostor scam.”

People come to the door pretending to be someone who is forbidden to them. The BBB’s Fredlena Cosby said in this case the person wanted to take photos of the house as part of another scam.

“So they come to your house and ask to take photos around the house so they can put them online to potentially list your house for rent or sale,” Cosby said.

You create a fake listing of your home on the Internet and scam a potential buyer or renter out of their money. Portsmouth Police say it’s more common than you think.

“This happens pretty much every day,” said Portsmouth Det. JD Thomas. “I mean, they’re fishing for someone to bite on their scam.”

“Most lenders and most mortgage companies will notify you by letter before they send anyone to do anything,” Cosby said. “But typically mortgage companies just don’t send people out to take photos of the property unless you sell the house.”

They say to request ID or papers to prove who they are. If you’re still unsure, call your bank or mortgage company.