Fake garbage collectors, fake firefighters, and fake postmen. The New Year season has just begun and with it, a lot of scams are taking place. In Asnières-sur-Oise (Val-d’Oise), residents raised the alarm on Friday 8 November after the passing of suspected scavengers asking for money. With yellow vests on their backs, they displayed certificates bearing the stamp of SEPUR, the service provider of the Tri-Or union responsible for garbage collection in the city, as a sign of good faith.
“Several people reported this investigation to me,” explained the city’s (SE) Mayor, Éric Therry. I remind everyone to remain vigilant against this type of scam. » According to board members, the individuals collecting the money didn’t even offer calendars in return. “They know very well that there are elderly or vulnerable people in Asnières-sur-Oise,” the mayor added.
“I don’t even give money to firefighters anymore”
An “easy target” that makes it difficult to distinguish honest people from fraudsters. More than just donating money to irresponsible people, the city hall is afraid of home theft if there is no attention. To “cut short the confusion,” the city also banned its city agencies from collecting gifts for two years. When contacted, a resident of Asnières-sur-Oise also admitted to being “very suspicious of touts. Always in a psychosis when the holidays approach. I no longer give to anyone, even the firefighters.”
Out of caution, the gendarmerie did not make any arrests at this stage, keeping in mind the recurrence of this fraud and the need to report the facts. As a reminder, illegal door-to-door inquiries are punishable by one year in prison and a fine of 150,000 euros.
One question remains: were these fake SEPUR agents, or real team members carrying out investigations in a sector that did not allow this? The subject maintains obscurity. Companies specializing in waste collection and sorting operate on behalf of the Tri-Or union in certain cities. But the union “officially prohibits this practice, which is the responsibility of individual SEPUR agents,” stressed the union’s president, Olivier Lesueur, in a press release. In addition, each town hall decides whether or not to allow door-to-door inspections, which are prohibited in Asnières-sur-Oise.
The city government isn’t the only one concerned. In several villages in Vexin, people disguised as scavengers approach residents to offer calendars. SMIRTOM, the union responsible for waste collection and processing, issued a press release calling for vigilance and warning that there is no official agency authorized to carry out this type of tracing.
In Argenteuil, several internet users reported people claiming to be eco-friendly scavengers to ask for donations, raising doubts about their true identities. In response, the city hall recalled the official date of the New Year’s campaign, which will start on November 18. The AZUR company has assured that its agents must show yellow vests, identity cards and even pay slips.
There are no rewards for police and police
Hence, it was difficult to separate right from wrong. Here are some tips to avoid fraud. First of all, find out more on your city hall’s website or its official page. They generally determine the New Year period as well as the services authorized to investigate.
On the big day, don’t bring anyone to your house. Ask for a professional card and proof. Be careful if you are asked for a certain amount of money: in principle, the contribution is free. Also pay attention to the calendar sold to you, it must have the official logo of the institution.
For firefighters, the recognition signs are simple. Full uniform, department badge and calendar stating the station name as well as the Val-d’Oise fire department logo. On the other hand, police officers and constables have no right to demand rewards.
