The Akron Beacon Journal is warning people that a savvy salesman is walking door-to-door peddling fake newspaper subscriptions.
Shaun Schweitzer, vice president of the newspaper’s circulation and production, said Saturday that the man has scammed residents in Munroe Falls, Stow, Tallmadge and, most recently, the Firestone Park area of Akron.
The man — who has identified himself as Mark Cornish or Mark Jackson during sales pitches — appears to have once worked as a legitimate contractor for the Youngstown Vindicator and knows how newspaper sales work, Schweitzer said.
He targets mostly senior citizens. It starts with a knock at the door. When someone answers, he introduces himself, says he’s their new Beacon Journal carrier and offers them a special subscription rate of $20 if they pay him in cash or by check while he’s there.
The bogus salesman is white, between 5-foot-10 and 6-foot-1, and between 160 to 180 pounds. His first victims said he had a beard and dark hair. More recently, victims have described him as clean shaven and bald, Schweitzer said.
The Beacon Journal is working with local police to find the man, who could face felony charges.
Schweitzer encourages anyone targeted — now or in recent weeks — to fill out a police report to help the investigation.
He also cautions that there are legitimate salespeople selling the Beacon Journal door-to-door, too. Most wear a shirt or jacket that says Akron Beacon Journal.
To make sure you’re not getting scammed, Schweitzer suggests:
• Ask to see the salesperson’s photo identification. It should show their image and say Akron Beacon Journal.
• Don’t sign any paperwork unless Akron Beacon Journal is printed on it.
Schweitzer said the scam artist wears what appears to be identification around his neck, but only the blank side of the ID faces outward. He also carries paperwork that belongs to the Youngstown Vindicator.
The man doesn’t hit every house on a street, Schweitzer said, like a real salesperson.
Instead, he’ll get $20 from a resident and then disappear for a couple of hours. He’ll next turn up a block away, Schweitzer said, looking to scam another resident.
Amanda Garrett can be reached at 330-996-3725 or agarrett@thebeaconjournal.com.