This spring, it is just as important to inform elderly parents about “stranger danger” as it is children.

Incidents of a popular scam against elderly residents is on the rise, according to local law enforcement officials and the Better Business Bureau.

“Don’t ever let anyone that comes to your door unannounced into your house,” said Tricia Pruitt with the North Alabama Better Business Bureau. She said whether they say they are selling vacuum cleaners or want to repair the roof, be cautious.

“Even if they tell you they’re your long lost so-and-so or know your name, don’t let them in,” she said. Con artists typically find the names of homeowners, then act is if they were friends or relatives of someone they know.

Strangers typically approach people who are at home during the day and offer to do odd jobs. They then either charge more than agreed upon and threaten to call police if the homeowner does not pay, or they divert the homeowner’s attention while a partner steals from the home.

“This home repair type scam is one thing we’re seeing an abundance of,” Pruitt said. Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely said last week several people have reported this type scam and he urged other residents to come forward if they have been victimized. Investigators at the Sheriff’s Office can be reached at 232-0111.

One simple precaution people can take is to say they are going to check with the BBB.

“Tell them to come back in an hour,” Pruitt said. If the workers are not legitimate, “they won’t come back.”

The BBB keeps a listing of companies that people have filed complaints against. Call (800) 239-1642, or visit www.northalabama.bbb.org.

But senior citizens should also be sure to ask anyone who comes to their homes for proof of license and bonding, as well as references.

“Good repair people should have that with them at all times,” Pruitt said. “Just because it says it on a business card or the side of a truck does not make it true.”

Another way to see if people are legitimate is to test their patience.

“Tell them you’ll think about it and to come back the next day,” she said. “If they pressure you, that’s a red flag.”

Pruitt also warned against leaving strangers alone.

“Don’t go to the back of your house because someone may come in the front door and steal something,” she said.

Scam artists in this area have offered to do pressure washing or they may say they have paving material left from a job and offer the homeowner a deal on paving their driveway. Those people may give the homeowner a quote of so much per foot, not specifying they mean a square foot, then present the homeowner with a huge bill.

“Then they might threaten to call the police if you don’t pay, but you are the one who should call the police if you think you have been scammed,” Pruitt said. “These are probably people who come into the area strictly for the purpose of taking money from our citizens, then they’re gone. It’s easier to prevent it than it is to retrieve your money.”

Pruitt said an Athens woman recently thwarted a scam perpetuated by telephone.

“Someone called and gave this sophisticated-sounding name and saying that the woman’s checking account number was on the Internet and everybody could see it.”

Pruitt said these people count on the fact that a senior citizen is less likely to have a computer at home.

“This lady was smart. She was thinking on her feet,” Pruitt said. The woman told the person on the phone that if he could see her account number on the Internet, then he could tell it to her for verification.

“She said, ‘If you’ve got my account number, tell it to me. Why do I have to tell it to you?’” Pruitt said.

The man hung up.

People should never supply account or Social Security numbers to anyone who calls. If the person says he or she is calling from the bank, people should hang up and call the bank to verify before giving any information.