PRINCETON — Though the snow on the ground may seem to dispute it, spring is officially less than two weeks away.

On Tuesday, Bureau County Sheriff John Thompson said the start of spring often brings with it a fresh batch of scams for which to watch, including various home improvement, paving and landscaping projects. Scams can become more prevalent in the spring because people are getting out more and looking to do work around their properties, he said.

However, Bureau County residents need to make sure they know what they are doing when considering hiring some work done and to not trust people they don’t know, Thompson said. Residents should ask for references from the potential worker and check out those references. Also, residents should not let the person talk them into a project they don’t want done. When dealing with anyone they can’t trust, residents should just close door or hang up the phone, the sheriff said.