We would like thank Donna Grey, Extension Educator in Luzerne County, for passing this information along so everyone can be aware of this situation.
Our office, the Penn State Pesticide Education Program, was informed and then confirmed that a possible “noxious weed control” scam is occurring in Pennsylvania. We also notified the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.
In essence, a Penn State Extension Educator (Donna Grey) received a call from a farmer who lives in Columbia County with the farm being in Luzerne County. The farmer said the scam had just happened to them, and they are sure it is happening at least in the Northeast. About a month ago, the farmer received a phone call from a female saying she was from the Extension Service questioning them on what types of noxious weed problems they are having. This female said that the Extension Service is working with a company that would follow-up with them on a weed killer.
Last Friday a gentleman showed up at their home saying he was from ISS – Industrial State Supply Company out of Babylon, NY – and was working with Extension. The farmer and his wife believed his sales pitch and gave him their credit card information. Later in the day, the gentleman called saying the card wouldn’t go through and wanted another credit card. At this point, the wife became suspicious and said she would send a check. The gentleman said he had to confirm with the people downstairs, came back on the phone within a short period of time, and said they won’t take checks. The wife called her credit card company and cancelled her card. She also looked up ISS on the internet and the Extension Educator understood her to say that this company is run by two people and goes by a couple of different names.
If you hear of anything like this in your area, call your local police or the Attorney General’s Office—Bureau of Consumer Protection at 717-787-9707.
Again, thanks to Donna and the alert farmer and his wife for bringing this to our attention.
Until Next Time,
Be Safe!
