Police In Glen Rock/Ridgewood Area Give Warning About Break-Ins, Scams

GLEN ROCK, NJ — The Glen Rock police shared two messages in the last week about crime in the area.

A week ago, on Wednesday, the department noted reports of two car thefts and an attempted home break-in near the border with Fair Lawn, reminding residents to lock their cars.

They wrote:

"We have seen an uptick in vehicle thefts in the Bergen County area recently. Last night into early this morning Fair Lawn had two BMWs stolen near the Glen Rock border. The thieves also attempted to enter a home in Glen Rock prior to the Fair Lawn theft but couldn't make entry to the home. In general, thieves are entering homes and taking keys from inside. Please remember to lock your vehicles and your homes every night. Protect yourself and your neighbors."

Then, on Sunday, they shared a different type of message.

They warned of a common scam that ramps up in warmer weather:

"As warmer weather approaches each year, there are spikes in roofing and driveway repair scams. Dishonest contractors often target vulnerable homeowners in need of immediate repairs or replacements, promising attractive deals that, unfortunately, turn into nightmares..."

They said that the Better Business Bureau offers the following tips on how to avoid contractor scams:

Be wary of unsolicited offers. Most scams involving contractors begin when a random contractor makes an effort to go out of their way to offer an estimate that was never requested.

Research companies and contractors before you hire. Start with BBB.org. If the contractor has multiple negative reviews and complaints, don’t hire them. A simple internet search often reveals companies or individuals involved in fraudulent activities or provided unsatisfactory work to previous clients.

Get everything in writing. Ask for an estimate in writing before payment is even discussed. Don’t let a contractor start working on a project until a written, signed contract outlining start and complete dates, a detailed description of the work, material costs, payment arrangements, and warranty information is provided.

Stagger payments. Most contractors will require a percentage of the total price upfront, but it should never be the full price before the work has begun. Instead, agree to stagger payments so that work can be inspected at various project stages.

Use safe payment methods. Paying with a credit card provides peace of mind since the credit card company will help you if the company is fraudulent. If you use a check, write it to a company, not an individual. Paying cash or using an electronic wallet app is risky since there is no way to stop the payment or get some money back if anything goes wrong.

See more updates from the Glen Rock Police Department here.