Ah, spring, the season of scams and schemes designed to solicit money from the unsuspecting, especially the elderly.

In addition to door-to-door sales pitches, home repair scams and home invasions, con artists use telephones, computers and the mail to pick people's pockets.

"During the spring and summer months, Pennsylvania unfortunately plays host to transient criminals who travel great distances in search of victims for their various moneymaking schemes," said state Trooper Ronald D. Kesten of the Butler barracks.

"In many cases, their targets are the elderly," he said. "Our greatest defense against these scam artists is the sharing of some basic crime prevention tips."

It was the sharing of information by two Shadyside residents last Saturday evening that prompted one of them to send the following e-mail:

"A young blond man who appeared to be in his 20s was going door to door to homes in Shadyside last week asking homeowners if they had a security system. He said he was representing a security company that wanted to increase sales in the neighborhood and was wearing a polo shirt with the company's logo.

"But the probing nature of his questions alarmed some residents, including an elderly woman who told him, when he wondered why no dog was barking despite her 'Beware of the Dog' sign, that her husband was out walking their pit bull. He then visited a neighbor, who told him the elderly woman had neither a husband nor a pit bull."

The person who sent the e-mail wanted to remind readers that they "are not obligated to answer the questions of door to door salespeople or those who may be impersonating them."

"And don't offer information about your neighbors to strangers."

In response to questions, the e-mailer described the salesman as having a "very trustworthy face. He was very innocent-looking in a Boy Scout way and his manner was very smooth and persistent."

Could he have been legitimate?

Yes.

Might he have been less aggressive and/or less prying in his sales pitch?

Absolutely.

"Be suspicious of high-pressure sales tactics," Trooper Kesten said in a news release. "Never allow strangers inside your home. Write down the license plate number of any suspicious vehicle they may be operating. Try to get a good physical description of anyone who comes to your door."

Trooper Kesten and a colleague, Trooper Michael V. Markey, advised residents to always lock their doors -- front as well as back -- whenever they go outside to do yard work, retrieve mail or visit a next-door neighbor.

If persons presenting themselves as utility company employees ask to enter your home or want you to "show" you something outside, ask for identification.

Then, lock the door and call the phone number on one of your utility bills or in your phone book to confirm the company sent someone to your home. The phone number on a "business" card or an ID tag number may be a phony.

If someone shows up at your door and offers to do home repairs because they "happen" to be in the neighborhood, have some materials "left over" from a nearby job and will do the work for "a very low price," send them on their way. Call the police and give them a description of the persons and the vehicle they were driving.

If you need the services of a home repairman, the troopers encourage you to check with the building officials in your municipality and the Better Business Bureau to make sure they are legitimate. "Verify that the contractor is properly licensed, bonded and insured," Trooper Kesten said.

"Finally, call the police immediately if you have been scammed or burglarized," the troopers said. "Never be too embarrassed to report that you've been victimized or swindled."