24 Jan 2020

Police appeal for victims of home maintenance scam to come forward

1:28 pm on 24 January 2020

Police are appealing for members of the public to contact them if they have been victim to a home maintenance scam in recent weeks.

Police generic

Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller

Acting Superintendent Dave Glossop said individuals were cold-calling homeowners offering to do maintenance work - often roofing.

"In some cases, victims could be overcharged for work that is either never completed or is poorly executed," he said.

Glossop said police believed the offending may be happening in parts of Auckland, but could not rule out other areas as well.

He said reporting the incidents was important so poilce could investigate them and hold any offenders to account.

"Falling victim to these sorts of scams can be upsetting and potentially embarrassing for those involved, however reporting them is crucial so others don't fall victim too.

"As the saying goes: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

"Our advice in these sorts of situations is to be vigilant; don't engage with these sort of cold calls and never hand over any money."

Police are urging anyone who may have been a victim to report it through the 105 number.

Residents can also report suspicious activity in their neighbourhood by calling police on 111 immediately.