With the holidays approaching scams tend to pop up more frequently.
Scams can happen anytime, anywhere and any place.
They come in many forms like an email, a text message, phone calls, even door to door.
Officer Randy Mathis with the Carbondale Police says some ways to avoid being scammed is stay alert and look for red flags.
“If you get to the situation where somebody is really trying to put the pressure on you or they’re really trying to work your emotions chances are that’s probably a scammer.”
The city of Carbondale added an extra layer of protection for people canvassing neighborhoods.
“In the city of Carbondale, it is actually in the code that they have to have what’s called a solicitation permit.”
Those are obtained through city hall and they have to have it on them, but Officer Mathis says there are a few exemptions including not for profit, election purposes, people 16 and under raising money for their school or scout troop.
Officer Mathis says if you’re unsure about the person at your door, they can help.
“Always if in doubt, call the police out and we will be more than happy to come by and check the validity of their permit.
Another tip for phone calls is if you don’t recognize the phone number, let it go to voicemail.
