Gypsy Invasion? Law Enforcement Warns Public of Scams
Each spring a group of "gypsies and travelers" comes to the area offering home improvement services.
Springtime in the Tampa Bay area is known for two things: allergies and gypsies. That's the word from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. Every spring, the Tampa area sees an increase in gypsy and traveler scams, according sheriff's office officials. To law enforcement agencies, the word "gypsy" refers to people who travel in small groups across the country perpetrating crimes of theft, burglary and fraud, according to a media release issued by the sheriff's office. "They know this is a very large popular part of the country where seniors come to from up north," said Det. Larry McKinnon, sheriff's office spokesman. "They prey on seniors." Locally, gypsies have hit the Northdale and Cheval areas in recent years, McKinnon said. …
