Georgia DOT Warning: Scammers Posing as HERO Employees

The Georgia DOT is warning that some ‘heros’ aren’t what they appear to be.

Two men have been posing as employees of the Georgia Department of Transportation, on of them posing as part of the state’s Highway Emergency Response Operator (HERO) program, which assists motorists who have vehicle problems on Georgia’s highways.

According to a release from GDOT, there have been two complaints this week from citizens about scams:

• in one, a motorist got a flat tire on I-75 and Moore’s Mill Road. A man pulled up to the scene in a white Dodge pickup truck . He was dressed in a gray safety vest and told the driver he’d get a new tire mounted on the vehicle rim and it would cost $100. The man took the money and the rim and never returned.

• A man posed as a hiring recruiter for the Georgia DOT, showing up a job fairs through the metro area. He offers jobs to be freight inspectors or weigh station operators and takes a $75 application fee and a $12 background check fee, which he has people wire to entities, which have turned out to be fraudulent.

“Georgia DOT reminds motorists that while its HERO operators may stop to assist disabled vehicles when not responding to emergencies, HEROs drive easily identifiable Department trucks; wear Department uniforms; have DOT identification; do not charge for assistance; and will not solicit or accept tips or rewards,” GDOT Spokesman David Spear said, in a press release. “Also, as a general rule, the Department does not utilize employment recruiters; nor does it ever charge job applicants any fees whatsoever.”

Anyone approached by these individuals or having information regarding these activities is asked to please contact local law enforcement or the Department’s Investigations Unit at (404) 347-0620.