| By Bob Weaver
UPDATE - Because roofing and property repair scammers told Calhoun residents they represented "State Farm," local State Farm Agent Tim Moore said yesterday that such scammers have surfaced in other counties, using the same lingo, often saying they had been doing business with a local funeral home.
Moore said his company has a well-known method to assist customers when they have property damage, which approves claims and then has the owner find an approved licensed contractor.
State Farm says, "If anyone visits your home without an appointment and professes to represent your insurer, ask for identification and contact your insurer to confirm before allowing access."
ORIGINAL STORY - Hard economic times are bringing out more and more scammers, by phone, Internet and in person.
Wednesday two males driving a vehicle with Ohio
tags stopped at an Arnoldsburg residence following a hail storm, wanting to check their roof,
siding and gutters.
The men tried to get the elderly couple to sign a form paper, insisting the work would not cost them anything, saying "We will work with your insurance company."
The men told them they
had already talked to the owners of Stump Funeral
Home, implying they were doing business with them.
The Herald talked with John Stump from the funeral home, who said the men called him, saying the funeral home roof was damaged, indicating, "We are working for State Farm."
"I sent some of our workers to Arnoldsburg to check it out," said Stump, "but couldn't find any damage."
"It is obviously a scam," he said.
Area residents should contact the WV State Police or the Calhoun Sheriff's Department regarding the scam.
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