Police In Upstate NY Warn About Door-to-Door Energy Scam
Police in Upstate New York sent out a warning to residents about a "group of men" going door-to-door asking residents for personal information regarding their energy bills. It's a tricky scam because in some cases, the persistent scam artists came back to various neighborhoods, even after police told them to leave.
On Monday, the Amsterdam Police Department "received a call about several males going door to door near Phillips St., asking about resident's National Grid bills."
What to Look For
According to a report by the police, the men told residents that they were representatives of "PTM Solar advising residents they could save money on their National Grid bills if they provided them with information."
According to the police, the scam artists said they were from "PTM Solar" and they were attempting to retrieve people's National Grid sign-in information as well as their account numbers.
Police said the men couldn't provide proper paperwork and they were told to leave the area.
Scammers Came Back
According to the Amsterdam Police, the individuals "continued going door to door after Officers advised them to leave. All three subjects were later arrested for soliciting without a permit."
Other Reports Outside of Amsterdam
After Amsterdam Police warned the public, other residents throughout the Capital Region said they experienced something similar.
A woman named Lila who lives in Scotia, posted a photo of a "suspicious-looking" man who came to her house inquiring about services, and she immediately told him to go away.
According to Lila's Facebook post, she "told him through the bell that (they) weren’t interested and he refused to leave promptly. Argued that I didn’t know what he wanted so he’d be back. Then went to (my) neighbor's house, (and he was) driving a black sports car."
Another woman named Morgan, also from the Scotia-Glenville area posted about without any credentials, "going door to door supposedly through National Grid trying to sign people up for solar panels."
If anyone has had interactions with these subjects or has provided them with any information, please call the Amsterdam Police Department for further information in regards to protecting your private information and National Grid Account.
Latest Viral TikTok Trend Takes Funny Look at Life in the Adirondacks
We recently came across a viral video that took a lighthearted and fun approach to "Life in the ADKS." It's been circulating for weeks and we think it's worth sharing!
Is life in the Adirondacks all that different from life in say, Albany, Schenectady, or Saratoga Springs? We say, "Yes!"
Even though most cities in the Capital Region are less than an hour away, anyone who's spent a decent amount of time in the North Country knows that certain conveniences that many might take for granted, don't exist throughout the 5,000 square miles of dense forest and high peaks that comprise the mighty ADKS.
So whether you're from Halfmoon or Hague; from Troy or Ticonderoga, you should be able to relate to a viral video that takes a humorous and poignant approach to "Life in the Adirondacks."
Here are a few of our favorites - and you can check out the full video below.
Gallery Credit: Brian Cody TSM Albany
The 20 Worst Places To Live In New York [RANKED]
The experts at Money Inc. have compiled their annual rankings of the worst place to live in New York for 2023 based on safety, quality of schools, the strength of local job markets, and leisure/entertainment. When you put that all together, Money Inc. says there are 20 New York cities and towns to stay away from.
Gallery Credit: Matty Jeff
Heartwrenching Look at Beloved Upstate NY Concert Venue Before Demolition
WARNING: Under no circumstances should you enter this property. By doing so you risk bodily harm and/or prosecution for trespassing on private property.
The Starlite Music Theater opened in 1957 and was a popular venue located in Latham. There were many acts that passed through the Starlite until 1997. It was a 3,000-seat theater in the round. In the 1980s I saw Belinda Carlisle of the Go Go's at the Starlite Music Theater. Kenny Rogers, The Monkees, Weird Al Yankovic, Jonny Cash, Run DMC, Diana Ross, and more graced the stage. The Starlite closed its doors in 1998 and laid dormant for years. Then in December 2012, the Starlite was demolished. Here are pictures of the venue in the summer of 2012 before it was leveled.