BERKELEY, CA — Police have issued a warning about a traveling group of scammers that appear to have targeted at least one Berkeley resident with a “sophisticated and aggressive” scheme involving home repairs.
It’s unclear exactly how recently the scheme took place. Berkeley police say at least one person recently reported being approached by scammers offering a quick-fix home repair. In other cases, victims have lost from $10,000 to $450,000 through these “high-pressure tactics,” according to the Berkeley Police Department.
The scammers, who police say have Irish or British accents, usually operate in small groups, under a fake business name such as “Statewide Roofing or Reliance Paving.”
They go door-to-door wearing high-visibilty vests and offering repairs or masonry services on a simple task such as loose chingles or ivy damage that’ll only cost a few hundred dollars to fix, police said.
But once on the homeowners roof, the scammers will intentionally cause more damage to the home and claim there area more issues than originally thought, police said. That’s when the scammers will demand cash upfront to complete the project.
“This is a predatory crime that exploits the trust of our most vulnerable neighbhors,” Berkeley Police Deparment Detctive Sgt. Jeremey Lathrop said. “We urge all residents to talk to their elderly family members and neighbors about these tactics. Do not let anyone on your roof without a verified contract and license.”
People who feel they may be being scammed by a solicitor should seek credentials, licenses or permits from them, according to police.Licences can be verified the State Contractors License Board or an equivalent local authority.
“Never hire a contractor who approaches you unsolicited,” police said. ” If told your home needs urgent repair, contact a local, established business for a verified inspection.”