The Champaign County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents to be on the lookout as a group of scammers known as the “Irish Travelers” is once again making its way through the area.
Sheriff Chad Burroughs says the group, believed to be based out of South Carolina, typically goes door-to-door offering services such as painting barns, resealing blacktop driveways, and painting metal roofs.
While the prices may seem attractive, the work often falls well below expectations.
Burroughs says the group has been known to use inexpensive paint that does not contain acrylic when painting metal roofs.
As a result, the paint can quickly wash away, leaving homeowners with damage and costly repairs.
In other cases, driveways are improperly sealed, or work is left unfinished after payment is collected.
Burroughs says the group also makes false claims about the quality of its materials and workmanship to convince homeowners to hire them.
He says one Champaign County resident recently paid to have a driveway resealed, only to have the contractors complete about half of the job before leaving.
The traveling contractors have been linked to theft by deception cases across Ohio, with some victims losing thousands of dollars.
The sheriff says contractors believed to be associated with the group often use the last names Sherlock, Carroll, or Riley.
Residents should always do their homework before hiring anyone who comes to the door offering home improvement services.
He recommends asking for references, researching the company online, and verifying that the business is reputable before signing a contract or making any payment.
Anyone who encounters suspicious contractors or believes they may have been targeted is encouraged to contact the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office at (937) 484-6091.
