Local police say that every spring Appalachia and other parts of the nation get hit by con artists who often use the ruse of claiming to be working on roofing and paving projects in local areas and claim to have a great deal for you.
Adding to the allure this year is the fact that many residents have indeed had roofs blown off and other serious damage done to their homes and properties by unusually-fierce wind storms.
"My brother paid this guy money to make a tin roof for our mom last February. He dropped the materials off and never came back," a victim of a recent scam victim told The Logan Banner. "He was seen later in Michigan, and has taken a lot of people's money."
Spring housing scams are common across the south and not just Appalachia, law enforcement officials have said.
West Logan Police Chief Robert Ward told The Logan Banner that he has seen a lot of such activities over the years and notes there are some simple steps the public can take to avoid getting ripped off by traveling con men.
Scams or "confidence crimes" are sometimes committed by more than one person and usually they target elderly home owners, Ward warned.
The con men will attempt to gain the confidence of potential victims by behaving in a friendly manner — and usually offer a great deal on materials or labor.
"Quite often they will say they have been working nearby on a project and have paving left over that can be used on a driveway or materials for a new roof," Ward said. "They will claim that since it is already paid for they can install it on your property for a steal. Well, there's some stealing they have in mind — your money."
Ward said the hot topping job is the most common sort of springtime scam when a con man applies a gooey layer of automotive oil to your driveway to make you think they are really repairing it.
"If it's thin, they will say it's a sealant. If it's thick they will claim it's asphalt and try to distract you," Ward explained.
Quite often, a second accomplice will ask the homeowner to use the bathroom or will ask for a glass of water in order to distract the owner so he or she won’t see the oil actually being applied. It can also serve as a distraction for someone to gain entry to the home looking for items to steal, Ward said.
When the phony job is done, the confidence man will often demand a higher price for the job, claiming that he had to use much more material than he originally thought necessary, Ward said.
"Or he may just asks for the original price and follows you around to see where you stash your money," Ward said. "That is frightening because it means they may be planning on coming back and robbing you by doing a home invasion or burglary."
After the scammers leave, the phony surface treatment washes away with the first rain.
Ward said when a deal sounds too good to be true, it usually is and that people should always ask for proof that somebody claiming to be a contractor is the real deal. Of course the best way to avoid being taken is by using a little common sense.
“Ask to see their business license," Ward said. "Most con men don't have one. In some areas, you can call city hall and see if they have paid business and occupation taxes in your town to see if they really are who they claim to be.”
Ward said it's a bad idea to let strangers in your home because they may actually be perpetrators trying to case your home planning on returning later and robbing it.
"I know this sounds cruel, but in the world we live in today and the dangers you face, it really is not a good idea to let a stranger in your home to use the phone or the bathroom,” Ward said. “If they say they have to use your bathroom, refer them to a convenience store with public facilities. If they want to use the phone, don't even let them in. Tell them to give you the number and you will call somebody for them.”
Ward said with U.S. Census enumerators coming around this summer it can be a trying time for the public and an opportunity for scam artists and criminals.
"Ask for some identification," Ward said.
"Legitimate people working for the census are trained to understand the public is sometimes apprehensive and they will have no problem showing you ID and some sort of card from the government.”
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