Nappanee Residents Worried About Becoming Scam Targets

by Troy Kehoe (tkehoe@wsbt.com)

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Nappanee Residents Worried About Becoming Scam Targets

Aerial view of a home damaged by the tornado that struck Nappanee on October 18, 2007. (Photo courtesy WGN-TV Chicago)

By Jim Pinkerton

(WSBT) People in Nappanee say they've been touched by the outpouring of support after the recent tornado, but police say not everyone has the right intentions.

PJ Miller is working hard to make life seem normal again, but there's no hiding the fact the last 10 days have been frustrating.

"They charged us $800 for a limb. It wasn't that big. But on the other side, the neighbor's side, same tree branch, they charged him $150 for the same branch," Miller said.

It's taken a toll on Nathan Borkholder, too.

"it's been a lot of late nights. A lot of restless nights."

So he didn't take any chances.

"I have a lot of friends who have their own excavation crew so that makes it kind of easy."

And while police say they've only had scattered reports of suspicious activity, they're still urging those hit by the twister to be careful so they don't become victims twice.

"Before they have anybody come in to do any work they really need to get a hold of their insurance company and they should have a signed contract," said Chief Mike Anglin of the Nappanee Police Dept.

It's not just cleanup. Police say there are many opportunities for scam artists to steal your identity from items that blew throughout the community in the storm.

"We advise people that they probably need to get with their banks and let them know their accounts and personal information might be compromised," Anglin said.

It's advice Miller's family plans to take.

"Kind of makes you sick somebody would come in and take what people have."

Police say if you are worried about a scam or something doesn't seem quite right it's important to contact them. They say it's clear with a lot of work left to do, nothing should be left to chance.

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