H.O.L.D.

Area residents warned of scammer scaring palm tree owners

Seniors vs. Crime is warning area residents of a scammer trying to scare the owners of palm trees.

A man identifying himself as “Joe Reed,” driving a white pickup with a cap on the back and pulling a long trailer, has been approaching homeowners telling them they have termites in their palm trees and that the trees need to come down, Seniors vs. Crime said in an advisory to residents of Sumter, Lake and Marion counties.

He charges $500 to remove the tree and then gives homeowners additional names of people who can remove the stump.

“All told, you could end up being out $1,500 for removing a tree that was healthy in the first place,” said Seniors vs. Crime.

They remind areas residents not to trust “anyone who comes to your house and claims you have a problem THEY noticed while driving by your house.”