Our mild winter is always peak season for door-to-door con artists. This year, with many out-of-area construction workers and repair people coming to Broward County to help rebuild, we're sure to get a few more dishonest imposters. It bears repeating: if someone comes to your home or apartment, and you did not ask him there, do not open your door. No matter how courteous he is, how well dressed and clean-cut he is, how important his mission is, or how official he appears to be, he may very well be a criminal and you should not let him enter your home.
These criminals have perfected the art of home invasion crime and they often prey upon the elderly. Perhaps it is because senior citizens rely upon repairmen and tend to trust people. The scammers are slick talkers and are good at convincing people that dire consequences will result if they are not allowed inside immediately. Keep the following precautions in mind:
Beware of people posing as electricians, exterminators, maintenance workers, water quality testers, building inspectors, meter readers, telephone or cable TV repairmen, or anyone else, even if they claim to be sent by your condominium association. Check with your maintenance office before letting anyone into your home.
Once inside, the phony exterminator will “accidentally” squirt you with bug spray and while you're busy cleaning up, he will clean up, too – leaving your wallet empty. The bogus water tester will keep you busy in the kitchen, filling and spilling glasses of water while his “assistant” empties the jewelry box in your bedroom.
Beware of people who approach your home or condo asking for assistance or wanting to use your telephone. If they need help, keep your door closed and offer to call the Broward Sheriff's Office. If there is a legitimate need for assistance, the person will wait. If not, he will run like a thief.
Beware of people offering low prices for unsolicited repair work such as fixing your roof or resealing your driveway. Do not open the door for any service provider that you did not request.
Again, if someone comes to your home uninvited – no matter how nice he seems – lock your door and keep it closed, then dial 911 on your telephone. Deputies and police officers will not mind the call. If the “worker” is legitimate, there will be no problem. If not, we'll let him practice his next home invasion scam at BSO's Main Jail.