The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

Joplin Metro

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December 31, 2008

Police warn elderly of fraud scheme

By Greg Grisolano

ggrisolano@joplinglobe.com

The Joplin Police Department is alerting elderly residents to be on the lookout for a fraud scheme involving home repairs after the bank of an elderly Joplin woman notified police of a possible scam Tuesday.

An 85-year-old woman who lives on South Grand Avenue told police that she was approached at her home by a man offering to repair her roof for $2,000, according to police Lt. Brian Lewis. The woman gave the man a check, which he attempted to cash Tuesday afternoon at a U.S. Bank branch on East 32nd Street.

Lewis said bank officials became suspicious of the man’s request and asked police to check on the health of the elderly woman.

“Fortunately, the bank didn’t cash the check,” Lewis said. “They were doing their job.”

Lewis said the woman reported that the man told her to write a check upfront and contact her insurance company for reimbursement.

“If anybody comes to your house telling you it needs to be repaired, and then offering to fix it, you need to politely turn them away,” he said. “A reputable business would not do that. They would respond to a request and take money after the job is done.”

Lewis said scam artists frequently target older homeowners, and they often claim to be able to provide roof, foundation or driveway repairs, as well as odd jobs, such as tree trimming and gutter cleaning.

Lewis said a person of interest has been identified, but no charges had been filed as of Wednesday.

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