Wheaton-area residents should watch for door-to-door scammers offering fake roof, chimney, gutter and furnace repairs, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) warned Tuesday, Sept. 22.

The alert covers Wheaton, Warrenville, West Chicago and surrounding communities across the Chicago area. BBB president and CEO Steve J. Bernas said home improvement fraud ranks as the fifth riskiest scam type, with a median loss of $1,405, citing the BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report.

"Fraudsters often take advantage of homeowners during this transitional time, offering unnecessary or substandard services that can cost homeowners hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars," Bernas said in a statement reported by ABC 7 Chicago.

The scams follow a pattern. A stranger knocks, claims to be working nearby and says they have leftover materials, according to a BBB consumer alert. They offer a low price and push for a quick decision.

Once work begins, the contractor may "find" new problems that inflate the bill. Some take a deposit and never return.

The Federal Trade Commission lists similar red flags: a contractor who demands full payment up front, accepts only cash, or asks the homeowner to pull building permits.

The BBB recorded one scam report in Wheaton for the week ending Aug. 15, with a reported loss of $313.09, according to the DuPage Policy Journal. Nationally, consumers lost more than $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, a 25% increase over the prior year, the Federal Trade Commission reported.

The BBB advises homeowners to get at least three written estimates before hiring anyone, verify a contractor's license and insurance, and put all work details in a signed contract. Never pay a large sum up front or in cash, and withhold final payment until the job is finished.

No local police department in Wheaton, Warrenville or West Chicago has issued a separate advisory about door-to-door repair scams this fall. Residents who suspect a scam can report it through the BBB's Scam Tracker or contact their local police department.