Criminals Going Green Too

No, this isn't an update to tell you that the criminals are trying to do their part to go green. It's more along the lines of criminals have realized that stealing solar panels is quite a lucrative business.

It would seem that they've realized that solar panels are worth quite a bit of money. The first time I read about this happening I was pretty shocked. I mean, you have to take them off the mounts, disconnect the wire, get them down off the roof... all without breaking them.

They also can't make very much noise. The only common trend in each of the reports that I've read indicate that they are only targeting businesses.

I can only surmise that businesses are targeted because no one is there overnight, so residential home owners should be ok.

The latest theft was from the Rutherford Winery where thieves made off with 25 panels valued at over $30K.

Apparently, the number of solar panel thefts is increasing year over year so in addition to getting panels the businesses will also need to install some sort of security system as well.

I just want to reassure you that only businesses have been targeted so far. Since you can hear footsteps on your roof thieves probably aren't going to target the residential market... yet.

It's a pretty sad day when you have to have security measures to protect everything you own.

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Solar Panel theft

Just taking panels is not the only way that the criminals steal them. I bet I get around 50 email orders a month that are fraudulent. Either the credit card info has been hacked from some site, or they try and cancel the card payment the order has been shipped. Things to watch for:
  • 1. The phone number area code almost always never matches the address given.
  • 2. The ship to address and billing are different.
  • 3. When the order is placed the buyer often splits the cost between 2 or more card numbers.
  • 4. The email often has very poor grammar, and usually they are buying for some charity, or third party.
  • Another great scam is International Buyers, any check or money order will take 30 days to clear. Most often the seller receives an authentic looking certified cheque (a forgery) ships the product and finds out 30 days later that the bank the forged cheque, or money order was written on never existed. One must be extra vigilant with off shore sales. I have a practice in my company, I refuse never to sell via electronic means from my web site, I will accept credit cards only via Pay Pal, otherwise it is Bank transfer or cash. Larry

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