Lexington Hires Tree Trimmers, Warns of Scammers

News9.com

LEXINGTON, Oklahoma -- One Cleveland County town will cleanup fallen branches at no cost to residents, but they are warning people in Lexington of potential scammers trying to charge for tree cleanup.

"Some of them are four or five gentlemen in a half-ton Chevy pickup with one chain saw in the back, are claiming to be tree-trimming services," Lexington Police Chief Deana Standridge said.

The city of Lexington has hired a tree-trimming company from Enid to clear away all limbs and branches at homes in town, private property and even in people's backyards.

But already contractors from out of state are moving into the area trying to take advantage of unknowing consumers. Many are telling people if they don't clear their yards, the city will fine them. In one case, one company reportedly offered to clean up the yard of an 89-year old woman for $1,000. She refused.

"A contractor came by to trim trees, came by and offered to remove all the debris from her house and her yard for $1,000 and when she said she didn't have that kind of money, he graciously offered to lower it to $925," the woman's grandson, Carey Bonner, said.

That's why the city wants to get the word out. If you live in Lexington, you're taken care of. There's no need to hire a tree trimming company.

"The city is taking care of all of the damage that's been done by the storm, whether it's in their front yards, their back yards, the city's taking care of all that," Standridge said.

Call Lexington Police Chief Standridge at 405-623-2892 to report any scam artists.