Don’t get ripped off!

April Showers are supposed to bring May flowers, but we are also finding that April showers bring Traveling Scam artists. This group of con-artists travels throughout the United States and follow the warm weather. They also want to rip you off!

With the temperatures rising in Colorado, so are the reports of home repair fraud. Travelers arrive every spring and prey on victims, especially the elderly, with door-to-door home repair, paving and other scams, intimidating the consumers into paying thousands of dollars for poor quality and unnecessary home repairs.

Red Flags of a home repair scams may include:

• Phrases such as; “I have materials left over, it’s a great deal”, or “your neighbors just did work with me"
• They may drive newer pick-up trucks and may have out of state license plates
• They quote bargain prices, but demand much more after the job
• They do poor quality work—or little or no work at all

Protect yourself from traveling scam artists:

• Don’t do business with unsolicited, door-to-door “handyman”
• Deal with local contractors
• Get at least three bids
• Insist on a written contract and don’t be pressured into paying more money

If you suspect a traveling con-artists report them immediately to your local law enforcement and watch out for older neighbors who might be intimidated by traveling con-artists and contact the neighbor to let them know of your concern.

If you have question regarding these types of scams or others, please contact AARP ElderWatch, 1-800-222-4444 or www.aarpelderwatch.org.