A single chair on the front porch, metal garbage cans, dated window treatments, an American flag flying out front.
All, said Sgt. Matt Baldes of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Independence Township substation, could point a con artist to the home of a senior citizen.
‘I hate to tell you,? Baldes said to a group of seniors gathered to learn about ‘imposter burglaries and home repair scams, ‘but 99.99 percent of the time, you folks are the target of these people.?
Baldes told residents at the Independence Township Senior Center last week about organized groups of transient criminals? sometimes known as ‘gypsies? or ‘travelers?’who move state to state across the county as they hit one community and move on to the next.
Often, he said, such individuals seemingly operate under a legitimate business name and may appear on the porch wearing official-looking clothing, hats, badges or other props to set up the scam.
‘You folks are from a trusting generation,? Baldes said. ‘You trust your neighbors; you help your neighbors.?
But, he said, ‘gypsies? or ‘travelers? are criminals trained from birth to ‘cheat people out of their money.?
The best thing a homeowner can do, he explained, is call 911 if they suspect a solicitor of ill will.
‘I don’t mind coming out at one in the morning, let alone one in the afternoon,? Baldes said. ‘If they leave when you say you’re calling the police, it’s a pretty good sign they were trying to scam you.?
New roofs, painting projects seal-coated driveways, he said, are classic examples of home repair-type scams.
Often, he explained, a scammer will show up purporting to have extra material from a ‘job down the street.?
‘Legitimate contractors pay by the pound,? he said. ? They’re scraping the bottom of the bucket. They don’t have extra. (Scammers) also do very sloppy work’they’ll come in and paint everything you have; they’ll spray four feet onto the lawn when they’re seal coating your driveway.?
As for the seal coat product itself?
‘They use motor oil and black paint,? Baldes said. ‘Next heavy rain comes along and whoosh’it’s all gone.?
In the past, the Clarkston area had few reports of such activity, while other areas were hit hard.
This spring, however, police have already had reports of home repair or imposter scams locally.
While Baldes gave an informative and entertaining talk that often had seniors chuckling, nodding and asking questions, some also related to the stories he told.
One resident said he recently let an unknown ‘repairman? into his home. The stranger then wanted ‘change for a hundred? so he could go to Home Depot and send his partner for lunch.
Luckily, the resident, who asked not to be identified, said he only had $15 in his wallet. Baldes confirmed what the man appeared to know: it was likely a scam.
Imposter criminals, Baldes said, employ deceptive tactics to get into homes, often pretending to be a utility worker or other legitimate individual.
Alternatively, one person will lure a resident outside, to look at a cracked sidewalk, for example, while a partner goes inside the home to steal.
‘The bottom line is, once they’re in your door, it’s all over,? he said. ‘They’ll find a way to get what they want.?
Often, the thefts go unrecognized.
‘They won’t go in and ransack a room, Baldes said. ‘If they look under your mattress, they’re going to tuck the sheets back in, they’re going to close the dresser drawers.?
His advice? ‘Lock your doors. Don’t let anyone you don’t know into your home. If you don’t have a water problem, no one should show up to fix your water problem. Use common sense.?
Above all, call police right away.
Baldes said many seniors don’t call because they fear a return of the ‘bad guy,? don’t want to become a burden on their kids or are embarrassed they got scammed.
‘Call me anyway,? he said. ‘I’m not going to make fun of you or say ‘boy, are you dumb.? I’m going sit down, talk with you and tell you ‘you’re one of many who’s been scammed this way.??