The arrival of warmer weather brings with it an increase in the number of those individuals who prey on unsuspecting homeowners.

According to local, county and state law enforcement agencies, this is the time of year that rural home owners are frequently targeted by individuals trying to run a home improvement scam.

According to county law enforcement officials, a number of cases in past years have involved the elderly who live in rural areas of the county.

In some cases the homeowners have signed what are deemed unconscionable contracts with the unscrupulous party, which the homeowners are led to believe are legally binding. The contracts often reflect exorbitant prices for the repair work to be done and, in many cases, the specified repairs are unnecessary.

Unconscionable contracts often call for a homeowner to pay for repairs which were either unnecessary, left uncompleted, or in some cases never started.

Often, in cases of this nature the home improvement provider (scam artist) attempts to defraud the homeowner by creating a false impression that repairs are needed.

The unsuspecting homeowner is asked to sign a contract stipulating the repairs in an attempt to lend authenticity to the scam, only to find out a short while later that the contract needs to be changed as additional repairs are needed and more money will be necessary to complete the job.

The scam frequently begins with someone visiting his or her home and offering to clean the chimney, pave the driveway or do remodeling work. The individual then frequently asks for money up front, before the task is even started, indicating that the “deposit” will be used for necessary supplies.

In many cases the victim feels intimidated and pressured to make a decision on the spot because they often live alone in a rural setting.

It should be noted that there are a number of reputable contractors in the county and surrounding area. Rarely do reputable companies approach a rural home unsolicited.

As a general rule of thumb, if home repairs are needed you should call the Rush County Chamber of Commerce or check the phone book to find the name of legitimate contractors.

Another means to procure a contractor is ask a friend or relative for a referral for someone they may have used in the past.

There is a big difference between home improvement fraud and a situation where the homeowner is simply not pleased with the outcome of a completed project.

If a contractor is behind schedule or if a homeowner simply doesn’t like the completed project that doesn’t necessarily constitute a situation involving fraud.

Cases of home improvement fraud are when there is intent on behalf of the provider or contractor ahead of time — such a charging $10,000 for $1,000 worth of work, or in cases of a contractor completing work that was not asked of them.