Area residents interested in protecting themselves against scams and bad business can attend a program offered by the Polk County Sheriff&39;s Office.

Local law enforcement agencies have joined together to offer programs to help protect people against scams, bad contracts, criminals and bad business. Polk County Magistrate Lionel Gilbert will moderate the programs.

The Polk County Sheriff&squo;s Office says many complaints have been made concerning tree companies and other deceptive operations as well as scams.

Other programs will be held throughout the county over the next couple of months.

The next program will be held at the Green Creek Family Life Center on March 30 at 6:30 p.m.. April programs are set for Coopers Gap Baptist Church on April 13 at 7 p.m., Tryon Presbyterian Church on April 20 at 2 p.m., St. Luke&squo;s CME Church on April 20 at 7 p.m. and the Polk County Library on April 27 at 6:30 p.m. On May 4, the program will be held at the Saluda Senior Center at 6:30 p.m.

The Polk County Sheriff&squo;s Office and the Tryon, Columbus and Saluda police departments are sponsoring the programs.