By Meg Peters
Review Staff Writer
A scammer targeting some Lake Orion businesses struck Ed’s Broadway Gifts & Costume last week unsuccessfully demanding $419.83.
Someone from a Detroit based number, 313-355-6713, called the Lake Orion gift store and spoke to co-owner Kathy Coe posing as a Detroit Edison agent Tuesday, Oct. 21.
Coe reacted fast, calling her husband Lloyd who was at a temporary store location.
The Coes were instructed to go to the local Rite Aid and purchase a pre-loaded Visa card, or an express money pack scratch off card, in the amount described.
They were then instructed to scratch off the number on the back of the card, call 313-355-6713 ext. 5531 asking for Jacob to relay him the scratch-off number.
Unless the Coe’s did this in the next two hours, they were warned, Detroit Edison would shut off the gift store’s power, which was also connected to their internet and thus the credit card system of the store.
After Kathy Coe had called Lloyd Coe, he went directly to the Rite Aid and spoke with the manager before purchasing any cash card.
‘The whole thing seemed fishy to me,? Lloyd said, who didn’t purchase the card. The manager had informed him this type of scam has hit other local businesses that were also instructed to harness similar payments.
When Lloyd Coe returned to Ed’s he called Detroit Edison, who verified the company didn’t use cash cards, and filed a police report with the Lake Orion Police Department.
While the Coes reacted quickly and efficiently to the scam artist, looking back they had every reason to believe it, Cathy Coe said.
‘All of this was very real to us because we have had electrical problems like this before,? she said.
The Coes have owned the gift shop at 2 S. Broadway for ten years and have noticed a cross between their electrical lines since the beginning.
‘So at the end of every year there is a huge amount that is owed on electrical, and it’s happened two or three times where Edison has called and shut us down,? she said.
Lake Orion Police Chief Jerry Narsh said this scam has been around for a while in Lake Orion, and other cities across Michigan, referring to it as the all-too-common utilities scam.
‘The scam is always the same’pay or loose power, and they intimidate and bully,? Narsh said. ‘I warn everyone that if someone is calling them stating a money payment is due it’s almost always false. A reputable business would allow the customer the opportunity to call back and verify the debt.
Never pay on the spot.?
Typically the phone numbers are constantly changed and usually show up as a fake name in the caller identification, Narsh said.
‘The scammers make it seem like you don’t have time to react, so you have to react,? Kathy Coe said.
‘Fortunately it didn’t cost us anything, but we should let other businesses know,? Lloyd Coe agreed. ‘Before you give anybody money make sure you verify it.?
The LOPD had called back the number supplied to the Coes, but it went unanswered. For any tips or questions call the police department at 248-693-8321.