LEE COUNTY, Fla. - If you've purchased magazines from a man named Michael Moorefield, chances are, you've been scammed.

He was seen going door-to-door in a Fort Myers neighborhood, telling un-suspecting homeowners he's a soldier selling magazines for fellow servicemen and women. Turns out, his whole story was a lie. 

The Lee County Sheriff's Office says scams like this one are common around the holidays. People pose as veterans, tugging at your heartstrings, tricking you give up hard earned cash. 

That's exactly what deputies say Michael Moorefield was up to, as they closed in. 

Lloyd Wickett had a front row seat to the arrest of Michael Moorefield. "The sheriff was right behind the bushes, he just walked over called him over and took it from there," said Wickett.

Deputies say Moorefield went door to door on a street off McGregor Boulevard Friday, claiming he was a soldier selling magazines, but not telling a straight story.

"Supposedly he was selling magazines to give them to servicemen overseas so I think that was his game," said Wickett

According to his arrest report "Moorefield lied and said he was in the service along with his father, and they were going to financially support soldiers in Afghanistan. Another homeowner says he was trying to raise money for the University of Florida rugby team.." 

His ploy was working. "He had taken a 200 dollar check from the lady down the street," said Wickett.

The Lee County Sheriff's Office urges you to pay extra attention to solicitors around the holidays.

"As we get towards the end of the year with Christmas and holidays, things tugging at our heart strings, we see more and more the door to door solicitors coming by, wanting to sell magazines," said Stacey Payne, with LCSO.

LCSO says if you encounter a solicitor, ask for a permit. 

If you buy something from a door to door salesman, and the purchase is over $25 dollars, you're protected under the Federal Trade Commission's Cooling-Off Rule which gives you three days to cancel your order and receive a full refund.

Visit the FTC's website at ftc.gov, or call toll-free 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-3824357)