Islanders cautioned to be aware of chimney cleaning scam

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Edgartown Police are cautioning Island residents to be aware of a telephone scam from a chimney cleaning service in which the caller claims to have a referral from the local fire department. Edgartown police officer Nicholas Phelps told The Times two residents have called police to report receiving similar calls.

In each case, the caller claimed to represent a chimney cleaning service and said that based on local records provided by the fire department the homeowner’s chimney needed to be cleaned. The caller asked for a credit card number to set up an appointment for service.

Officer Phelps said in both cases the homeowners refused to provide credit card information. He said police want Islanders to be aware of the scam.

The fraud is not restricted to the Island. The onset of heating season has brought similar warnings from Cape police departments. Orleans police issued a warning Friday about a telephone scam from someone who claimed that the Orleans Fire Department and National Fire Protection Agency required an annual cleaning and inspection.

Edgartown residents may report calls by calling Edgartown Police at 508-627-4343.