SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Highway Patrol is warning drivers about thinking twice when pulling over to help a stranded motorist on state roadways.
According to the agency, scammers are now posing as drivers who need assistance and looking for help. Once someone else stops to assist, the suspects offer fake gold in exchange for money.
"We’ve gotten reports they’ve been aggressive trying to sell you items when you stop, they take advantage of the fact you stopped," said Trooper Kyley Tobler.
UHP said the scammers use illegal tinted covers to hide their license plates, further concealing their identities.
No arrests have been as investigators attempt to determine whether the merchandise being sold on the side of the road is legitimate or stolen.
The scam alert shared by UHP has caught many by surprise.
"This is the first time I’ve heard of it, so I am actually gonna be a little leary of it when I see someone on the side of the road, I am not gonna wanna stop and help," said Stansbury Park resident Teri Cashmore.
"It is sad because you want to help other people because if you’re in that situation you would want somebody to stop and help you," said Sandy resident Marci Gardner, "and they’re ruining it for everybody that actually needs help.
The highway patrol warns drivers that anytime they see someone on the side of the road that appears to need assistance, don’t stop because it's too dangerous for all involved.
"We would prefer that they would call into our dispatch, call 911, let us know there’s a problem and we’ll go address it," explained Tobler. "Because if there really is an emergency, we’ve got the tools to handle it. And if they’re just trying to sell goods, we know what to do with those people. We’re looking to press charges on the people trying to sell."
