CHRISTMAS revelers have been warned over a light show scam that left visitors forced to pay for an event supposed to be free.
“Discounted” tickets were sold for the drive-through Christmas light show on Groupon – even though the event has always been free of charge.
For several years, the event has taken place in the Blackhawk Bluff area in Jacksonville, Florida, showcasing a dazzling light exhibition that lures attendees from all corners of the city.
Doug Hicks has run the show for years, even helping to decorate the displays of his older neighbors’ homes.
Therefore, he was taken aback when his relative residing nearby shared a Groupon offer, advertising tickets for the Christmas lights extravaganza at a price of $16.
The Groupon website shows that two people actually bought the fraudulent tickets.
“Our neighborhood is absolutely free,” he told Jacksonville-based Fox affiliate Action News Jax.
He added that far from charging visitors, people who attended the lights show were more likely to receive free items like candy or hot chocolate.
Describing the scam as “upsetting,” Hicks said he hoped that the police capture the holiday Grinch.
“I hear that they’ve turned it into Jacksonville’s police department and they’re investigating it,” he said.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office did not respond to The U.S. Sun’s requests for comment.
Other local residents slammed the scammers for making money off of a community project supposed to bring joy to the kids.
“I think it’s a shame somebody is trying to make money off of this,” Airaka Ramsey told local NBC affiliate First Coast News.
This is the third year that Ramsey has decked out her home with Christmas lights in Blackhawk Bluff.
She was stunned to see that her address was listed on the Groupon ad, charging visitors $20, with “discounts” of $16.
“I think it’s a shame somebody is trying to make money off of this,” she said.
She added that it was “very scary” to see her home address being used.
FAKE LIGHTS SCAM
IN response to news of a fake Groupon scam for Christmas lights, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office put out a statement:
“This event has been a tradition for a significant period, and traditionally, given its high demand and the large influx of guests, the local communities have enlisted JSO officers through our Secondary Employment Unit to ensure safety and security.”
“We were made aware of this last night, and the information has been forwarded to the appropriate unit for follow-up.
“I can tell you the association has advised us they had been made aware of the ‘Groupon’ and they were unsure of the source, and it would appear to be a scam.
“They re-iterated they have not, and do not plan to charge any monies to those visiting the site.
“I have not been made aware of any victims at this time.
“If you are aware of specific individuals that have been victimized as a result of the ‘Groupon’, we would ask that they call the non-emergency number to report the incident.”
A reverse image search of the pictures on the Groupon ad showed some of the pictures weren’t even taken in Blackhawk Bluff.
Another resident said this wasn’t the first time they’ve noticed a similar type of scam.
“We’ve had people pull up, use a five-gallon bucket and collect $20 bills to come in, and they got away before we got our hands on them,” Tom Burnett said.
Police have advised anyone who bought the fake tickets to call the non-emergency line.
Groupon did not respond to The U.S. Sun’s requests for comment.
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