By David Eck
Enquirer contributor

GLENDALE - Police are looking for three men who bilked an 87-year-old Glendale resident out of $4,600 this week after offering to work on her home.

"They approached an elderly resident and offered to spray for mold on the exterior of her house," Glendale Police Officer David LeCompte said.

"They stated they would perform this service for her for $20."

After the work was finished, the men refused $20 cash and told the resident they could accept only checks.

"Unfortunately, our resident did provide them with two personal checks," LeCompte said. "(The checks) were either altered or forged after she provided them with the checks."

One check was quickly cashed for $4,010 and the second was cashed for $610. The resident also told police a $50 bill was missing.

The case is being investigated as a theft by deception.

Similar incidents have occurred in South Carolina and Florida, Glendale Police Lt. David Warman said. Authorities there have called Glendale seeking information.

"These guys are working all across the country," Warman said. "We think they might be from the same family. It's the same type of vehicle description in Florida that we got here."

People, particularly the elderly, are urged to use caution when dealing with strangers.

"They usually use two to three people and they get them confused," Warman said. "Always call when someone strange shows up at your door or (with something) you didn't order."

Spring is a prime time for such scams, police said.

"We don't believe there was any service provided, either," LeCompte said. "We think the whole thing was just a matter of getting a hold of those checks from a victim they thought was an easy mark."

Email daveck@fuse.net