LAKEWOOD, Colo. -- Damage from this summer's severe weather has been costly for many people, and the scammers are out in full force.

On Wednesday, Lakewood police warned that a group of thieves, commonly known as "Travelers" have descended on the community with the primary purpose of scamming people on various types of home damage and debris clean up such as tree trimming, fence repair, roof repair, and siding repair.

The thieves require payment upfront and then generally, one of two scenarios will occur; they never return to start the job, or they start the job but never return to finish it.

"Because these people are scam artists and not legitimate workers, they do more damage then good. The homeowner is then left with additional repairs and clean up needs that are far more extensive and expensive then the original repairs ever were," said Lakewood police spokesman Steve Davis.

Travelers usually drive pickup trucks with out-of-state license plates. They may also be pulling work equipment on a trailer behind the truck.

"These thieves may look like legitimate contractors but they are not," Davis said. "It can be difficult for law enforcement officers to investigate these crimes because, in most cases, the victim does not even realize they have been scammed until the thief is long gone."

Tips If You're Looking For Contracting Help

Be very leery of anyone who just shows up at your door and tells you they were just "driving in your neighborhood" and that they have noticed a serious problem, defect, or damage that needs to fixed right away.
Never let anyone in your house you do not know.
Never pay for work that has not been completed to your satisfaction.
Never sign your name to a contract without first checking the company out. If the company is reputable, they will not mind if you ask for references.
Never feel pressured to make a quick decision, and/or to sign anything.

Have the company leave contact information with you. Then, before signing any contract, check with family, friends, neighbors, The Better Business Bureau, the Internet or the police if you have any questions or are unsure of the company.
If you identify repair needs on your property, take your time and shop around.
Protect yourself from identity theft. Never give an unknown person your personal information, including:
Name
Date of Birth
Credit Card Information
Checking or Savings Account numbers
Your Social Security number
Don't be afraid or embarrassed to call the police if you feel you may be a victim of a scam. Early intervention/investigation is critical in these cases. It can help catch the thief and maybe prevent another person from becoming a victim.

If the offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Additional Resources:

Colorado Roofing Association
Denver Better Business Bureau