City police are investigating at least two incidents where residents were solicited to make home repairs, and the company left the job sites after the work was unfinished and the funding stopped. Police are asking the public for more information on home solicitations and if any other homeowners were taken in by the fraud.
According to Det. Mark D’Amico there is an investigation into two recent incidents where men posing as representatives of construction companies knock on the doors of prospective victims and tell them they can have visible problems in their homes repaired cheaply.
“It seems to shape up this way,” D’Amico said. “They tend to see a home in some type of disarray in various stages of need. They portray themselves as builders.”
The scam is accompanied by business cards giving the impression of registered businesses with phone numbers and web information.
“Once they get I, they begin work and find other problems, and more damage,” D’Amico said. “They put band aid repairs together and then leave the scene.”
In the two cases, D’Amico said the con men seem to prey on the elderly and offer services for simple repairs. In both cases, the simple job turned into bigger projects costing thousands. In one case a woman was charged more than $142,000 for the repairs before the workmen left the scene. She is still trying to get her home back in order.
The Voice talked with both residents concerned in the alleged fraud but is withholding their names.
In the first instance, the cleaning of gutters in the wake of a nearing storm turned into an entire roof being torn up as work on the gutters found a case of “wood worm.” The infestation meant larger repairs and a bigger pay day.
“A person came to the door and offered to clean the gutters when Hurricane Debbie was supposed to come through in August,” said one resident. “I was worried about the debris in the gutters and accepted the offer.”
In this case the gutter cleaning turned into the removal of the gutters and the siding, only to find the alleged wood worm. The workmen said the roof needed replacement. An estimate of between $5,000-$7,000 was given, the check cashed, and the work never done.”
In the second instance, a solicitation to fix a damaged chimney led to another report of serious work that had to be done on the foundation as well as other areas of the house. That led to payments more than $142,000, the checks cashed, and the worksite vacated.
“They disappeared after the funding stopped,” another resident. They left and the work unfinished.”
D’Amico said the solicitors use official looking estimate sheets, and those are being investigated through manufacturers to trace the sales.
“The estimate sheets they are using are legit,” said D’Amico.
The matter is an ongoing investigation, and D’Amico is trying to ascertain if other residents have been taken in by the same people.
“They prey on the elderly and look for homes that need some repair only to find other things wrong,” D’Amico reiterated.
The investigator said anyone with more information should contact the West Haven Police Department as the open case is looking for more leads.
Those with information should call (203) 937-3906.