Aging in place is a great option for many elderly people. IT allows them to stay in familiar surroundings where they are comfortable even if they are not able to function quite at the same level that they used to due to mental or physical limitations. This can put them at risk to be taken advantage of in all sorts of scams. One type of them are perpetrated by mean spirited contractors.

How the Scam Works

A contractor may call first or stop by if they notice that the home is being inhabited by an elderly person. They will say that they noticed there might be an issue with the home and they want to take a look. Once inside they will find any number of things wrong inside the house that are in need of repair. Being unable to do the repairs themselves, the elderly person will allow the contractor to do the “repairs.”

Once the repairs are done, and quite often over charged for, the contractor might return in the near future to offer to do more repairs. Often they will do the same work they just completed. This can mean tens of thousands of dollars in unnecessary repairs.

What can You Do about It?

The first thing to do is help by being the eyes and ears for your elderly loved ones. See if there is a neighbor living close by that will be willing to make a phone call to you if they see contractors looking around or speaking.

Warn your loved ones about the potential for scams and convince them that they shouldn’t commit to any repairs until consulting you or someone else in the family.

If you need legal assistance with elder law issues, contact Stano Law group.