WARNING: Home improvement scams targeting the elderly

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If you're looking for repairs or renovations on your home, beware of the many scammers out there.

Bob Massi, host of "The Property Man," sounded the alarm this morning about the continuing problem of home improvement scams that specifically target the elderly.

Massi said it's been an issue for many years and according to a 2015 report, an estimated $36.5 billion is lost per year by elderly Americans to various financial scams. He said scammers keep an eye on probate court, thus allowing them to target a widow following the death of her husband.

"It's very sad, but it's true," said Massi, adding that typically a fraudulent contractor will convince the elderly individual that they're in urgent need of a repair, like for example a new roof.

In many cases, the unwitting homeowner will write a check for work that is never done.