Watch Out For Repair Scams, Oak Park Police Warn Residents

OAK PARK, IL -- Oak Park police are warning residents to stay vigilant after more than half a dozen home repair scams have been reported in the village in recent months. Police say that since September they have received eight reports of men or groups of men who come to homes posing as repair people, construction workers, and even village employees.

In a press release, police said that four residents reported that money was stolen by men who entered their home by saying they were going to inspect the home's ceiling or windows. Another group of residents told police that the men performed repairs on their homes, but then requested an "exorbitant payment."

Oak Park Police Chief LaDon Reynolds warned that elderly residents are "especially vulnerable" as criminals believe they may be "easy prey."

Police say most of the reported scams took place in the afternoon. They added that they have received several different descriptions of suspects and vehicles connected to the incidents, which could indicate that there are multiple people performing similar scams.

Oak Park police are advising resident to take the following precautions to protect themselves against repair scams:

• If someone comes to your home and asks you to come outside, lock all doors before you go out and take a key with you.
• Ask for official ID if someone claims to be a village employee or repair person.
• Be wary of anyone who offers to do repairs "on the spot."
• Ask for a business card and look into the business's reputability before agreeing to repairs.
• When in doubt or if you're feeling threatened, police say to lock your doors and call 911.

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