Police are looking for people involved in a fire extinguisher scam they say is being committed in many parts of Simcoe County.

In one case, a man went to a convenience store on Bayfield Rd. N. in Springwater Township at about 7 p.m. on Fri., Jan. 25 and advised the store clerk that he was there to change the fire extinguisher.

The store clerk paid $85 and received a receipt. Instead of leaving a new fully charged fire extinguish the man left an old one.

Police describe the male suspect as white, with a stocky build and dirty, shaggy, blond hair. At the time he wore a plaid shirt.

"The safety and fire concerns go far beyond this simple fraud," said Const. Mark Kinney of the Huronia West OPP detachment. "If the store does not identify the old fire extinguisher and it is needed in an actual fire it could have a tragic outcome."

Police are advising all businesses to be suspicious of anyone who offers a service or item that was never requested, especially if they do not have proper identification.

Anyone with information is asked to call Huronia West OPP at 705-429-3575 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.