Northlanders are being warned about a group of "rogue tree cutters" impersonating lines company staff and pressing property owners to hand over large sums of money to have trees cut or trimmed.
The group, described as "three large Polynesian men with foreign accents and driving an unmarked white van", hasbeen active in Kerikeri and Far North towns this week. The three reportedly claim to work for Top Energy and use standover tactics to intimidate people into having work done immediately.
They wear high-visibility vests with no logos or visible identification.
Top Energy chief executive Russell Shaw urged Northlanders to be on the lookout for "these unscrupulous conmen".
"If anyone is approached for this type of work by people matching this description they should ask to see Top Energy identification and, when this isn't forthcoming, they should contact the police immediately."
Mr Shaw said all Top Energy vegetation clearance staff drove company-branded vehicles, wore company-branded clothing with their names clearly visible, and carried company identification.
Top Energy staff would not insist on work being done "on the spot" and would always provide written quotes for any work they were asked to do.
This week a Haruru Falls resident reported being approached by three men who offered to trim a tree on her property for $1500. They roused her suspicions when she said it was too expensive and they immediately dropped the price to $500.
