Vernon Hills Police Issue Warning on Home Repair Fraud

The arrival of spring and warmer weather provides homeowners with the opportunity to make wanted or needed repairs and changes to their house or property. While some people will choose to do the work themselves and save money, others will opt for hiring a handyman or contractor to do the work for them. Some, such as the elderly, may not have the luxury of choice and will do the latter.

The Vernon Hills Police Department's Crime Prevention Unit would like to warn everyone that, unfortunately, warm weather activities such as painting, roofing and driveway sealing also brings out criminals who take advantage of people who need these services performed. For many reasons, it is often senior citizens that become targets for these types of crimes. Regardless, anyone can become a victim if you don't think first and use good judgment. A couple of the most common home repair frauds are driveway sealing and painting frauds. 

In a driveway sealing scam, the homeowner is approached at the home and told that a nearby driveway repair job was just completed and that because there is material remaining, the homeowner has an opportunity to take advantage of it and save money - if the work is performed immediately. However, once the job is done, the homeowner is often told that the cost is more than expected. In addition, the material used may be substandard and will wash off with the next rain. 

Painting and other home repair frauds are similar. The homeowner may be overcharged and/or the quality of the work is poor as well as the quality of the material being used. 

Although there are many, many variations and methods used by these kinds of criminals, there are also easy ways to keep from becoming a victim. 

Always:

• Get several estimates and compare. Ask if there is a charge for an estimate.
• Check out contractors with the Better Business Bureaus and state or local licensing agencies.
• Ask for references and call them. Ask your friends for recommendations.
• Be leery of high-pressure sales tactics or someone who "happens to be in the area."
• Pay by check so that you can stop payment if dissatisfied.
• Get a guarantee on the work.
• Never sign a work of completion unless all work is done to your satisfaction.

There is also the problem of ruse burglaries. A ruse burglary is when the offender may pose as a public utility employee, a roofer, or other service provider and claim they need access to the victim's residence or backyard to inspect their water, gas or cable components, recent work done, etc. The offender will then direct the victim to an area of the residence away from where valuables may be stored, or to come outside of their residence to look at something in their yard while their home is entered by others and burglarized.  This allows his or her accomplice(s) to enter these areas undetected and gather as many items as possible.  

Please, do not allow strangers to come into your home or to distract you away from your unlocked front door. Call the police immediately and try to provide a description of the suspect(s) and a vehicle. But most importantly, remain safe!

Anyone with questions should contact the Crime Prevention Unit at (847) 247-4889.

— Provided by the Vernon Hills Police Department