Beware of Recent Scam and Burglary Trend

An elderly woman in the Fieldcrest subdivision recently fell prey to a scam where a man lured her from her home while another robbed her residence. 

The man claimed he was the woman's new neighbor, and drew her out of her home to examine purported changes he planned to make in her yard. While he distracted her, another man stole several items from her home, said Oak Forest Crime Prevention Committee Chairman Dennis Mitzner.

The scam is one of several reported in the area; in December, the committee warned of two men posing as fence salesmen to distract homeowners and burglarize their homes.

Mitzner offered tips on how senior citizens and other residents can protect themselves from similar scams and burglary. Be sure to share them with senior citizens, friends and family.

1. Seniors need to be extremely careful of who they talk to. Rule of thumb, if you didn't invite/call them, don't talk to them.
2. If you are at all uneasy about the person at your door, call the Oak Forest Police Department. Dial 911.
3. If you have a locking screen/storm door, lock it and talk through it if you must.
4. Do not open your door to anyone you did not invite to your home.
5. By all means, do not let someone take and/or talk you out of your house for any reason.
6. Pass this warning along to all the senior citizens you know, especially those who do not have a computer.
7. This scam is perpetrated in all communities. No one is immune.