No matter what time of year it is, scammers are out in droves. Unfortunately, they often target the elderly.

Older adults are lonely and fall victim to thieves. Scammers lie then enter the victim's home and walk away with cash and other valuables.The reasons they target seniors:• Older adults tend to be home during the day, the hours "contractors" work.• People living with disabilities have a difficult time doing the needed repairs.• Many older adults have disposable income.• They are prone to trusting other people, even strangers.Fraudulent signs to keep an eye onThe home repair scams to look out for are private drive paving (driveways), rooftop repairs, and gutter cleaning.If a homeowner pays for the work directly, the con artist will do a sloppy job, leave it in worse shape or never show up do it.The warning signs• Knocks on your door without an invitation.• Calls you unexpectedly.• Makes false claims like, "I've finished work down the block and had material."• Pushes you to make an immediate decision.• Gives a "special pricing" to encourage an instant buy.• Inspects the home at no charge, breaks something on purpose, and charges you to fix it• Suggest fixes you never noticed• Offers no identification• Gives you a great deal and says your home will be a "model" or encourages you to get additional customers.• Offers financial assistance to pay for the work needed.• Invites you to come outside and see the damage, while the associate enters the home to steal.What to do• Never sign anything without reading first and understanding the contract.• Never agree to any repairs without getting a second opinion or fully understanding the damage.• Never pay for work before it's started. Consider paying half upfront and the other half when finished (to your satisfaction.)• Never do business with a person who solicits work at your front door - reliable and trustworthy roofers and home repair contractors don't need to solicit business door-to-door.• If a rainstorm damages the roof, call the insurance adjuster.• Check references.• Call the Better Business Bureau for grievances.• Verify their state board of contractor's registration. (Are they insured and bonded?)• Document all the work, including supplies and time. Keep a copy of the report and include all costs, how to pay, and get both signatures (the contractor's and yours) on both copies.Carol Marak is editor of SeniorCare.com.