“Once they receive the money, they usually take off and never complete the work”
The Southborough Police Department posted the warning on their Facebook page after a local opened the door to a man with an “Irish accent” who attempted to rip her off.
The police requested that everyone “remind your elderly loved ones/neighbours” that the scam “is still being conducted in the area”.
They write that a local department “had the following take place in their town”.
“A male knocked on the victim’s door on June 30, 2024. The male, who had an Irish accent, stated that he could remove the ivy from the victim’s chimney, and she agreed to pay $150.
“The victim indicated that the male party brought a ladder two days later and removed a small ivy area.
“He then told the victim that the chimney was damaged and needed work for $2,500; but since his guys were already up there, he could do it for $2,000.
“The victim declined to do the job. The suspect had left her property without his ladder. The victim removed the ladder from the roof, and the suspect never returned.”
The police add that the scams usually involve “a lot of pressure and quick talking sales tactics in order to scam the potential victim”.
“Once they receive the money, they usually take off and never complete the work,” the police department add.
Before strongly suggesting, “rejecting these types of repair offers and utilising a reputable area business to complete your necessary construction (if it is needed)”.
Again the police ask that locals “share this advisory with your friends, family, and neighbours”.
A number of similar warnings have been issued in recent months regarding scam handymen operating in the US, Australia and Canada.
Just last month, in an unrelated case, a major “international” investigation was launched into the activities of two Irishmen who were arrested for their alleged roles in a roofing scam.
Dean Morgan and John McNamara were stopped at John F Kennedy International Airport in New York as they tried to board a flight to Dublin.
The have since been charged with theft and racketeering for their alleged roles in scamming Denver residents out of money.
However, since the story of the scam was first aired by CBS News Colorado, new victims have come forward, prompting a wider investigation into the two Irishmen.
One of the homeowners who had been among the first to fall victim to the scam told CBS News Colorado how they were approached by Morgan and McNamara who had claimed to have noticed an issue with their homes while passing by.
The pair would then claim they would repair the damages they saw for free if the families would consider a tip for the work.
The alleged scammers would then climb up onto the roofs where they allegedly planted worms under shingles.
They would then show photos of the worms to homeowners claiming they were maggots that needed immediate work, the victims say.
Some who fell for the scam wrote cheques for work that was never done.
Others who ordered the men to get off their roof, later realised the shingles had already been destroyed by the alleged scammers.
After CBS News Colorado aired the report, others in the Denver Metro area came forward to say they had also been targeted by the same men.
CBS News Colorado‘s initial report found at least three homes that had been targeted but once the story was shared around the community, a much larger problem was discovered.
A spokesman for the DA’s office said the duo are also wanted for similar crimes in California.
