Down Highway 276, in a place she's called home for 31 years, Wanda Killough hardly needs the watchdog in her yard. Her own eyes are good enough. "I know if they belong in this neighborhood or not," she says. "They said we don't need a neighborhood watch in this neighborhood cause you're the neighborhood watch." The watchful Greenville County grandmother spotted something recently that seemed out place: a trio of traveling salesmen going door to door. "He said I work for the federal government," Wanda recalls. "I said, you do?"
Turns out, the men had quite a story. Killough says they were trying to sell coupons for DTV converter boxes. Only problem: you can get those coupons online for free. The federal government set up a website, giving you a card that's good for $40 towards a box. Still, deputies say you can count on most criminals to do their homework. "In these hard economic times, these individuals are becoming more and more creative and coming up with new ideas so our citizens need to be aware," says Deputy Matt Armstrong with the Greenville County Sheriff's Office.
Now, like deputies, Killough is warning her neighbors to use common sense. "You work for the federal government, and you come dressed in plain dress, you don't have any kind of badge, and you're driving an old dodge truck? I didn't fall off the turnip truck yesterday."
The Sheriff's office warns to use your own best judgement when dealing with door to door salesmen. First, check for proper identification. Also, if you feel uncomforable, don't open the door and speak to them only from inside. Last, if you think something's suspicous, call the Sheriff's Office right away.
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