Home » Lexington officials warn of leaf collection scam

Lexington officials warn of leaf collection scam

Scammers offer to rake leaves for a fee

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 9, 2014) — Officials from Lexington’s Division of Streets and Roads and Division of Police are warning citizens to beware of scammers posing as city leaf collectors.

Lexington leaf collection crews have encountered reports of someone—possibly more than one person—going door-to-door in Council Districts 9 and 10, offering to rake leaves for a fee in advance of the city’s vacuum leaf collection program.

leavesRob Allen, deputy director of the Division of Streets and Roads, says the person tells citizens he is working with city leaf collection crews and asks for money to rake the leaves to the curb.

“This person is not working for the City and leaf collection personnel do not ask for money,” Allen said. “City leaf collection crews are either from the Division of Streets & Roads or the City’s contractor, Republic Services.”

Residents in the two council districts also say they are encountering other problems, Allen said. “In some instances, leaves have been put out in areas that have already been serviced by the City. In other cases, leaves have been put in the street instead of in the easements. Leaves raked into the streets can clog storm sewers and cause accidents when they get wet.”

Police remind citizens that there is no charge for City leaf collection. In addition, City leaf collection is limited to Fayette County. If you feel you have been the victim of leaf collection scammers, contact police at (859) 258-3600.

Citizens can verify the location and schedule of the City leaf collection program online at http://www.lexingtonky.gov/leaves