The latest local news, weather and high school sports in and around Columbia and Jefferson City

A handyman scam targeting the elderly has been reported to Columbia police several times.

The callers have reported a white male in his late 30s soliciting handyman work, like driveway repair, power washing siding, deck cleaning and staining, etc.

Here's the scam: he may complete the original work adequately without a business license where a contract has been signed and he has been paid up front, and then return with more items to be repaired, but then not completing the work.

TIPS TO CONSIDER BEFORE HIRING A HANDYMAN:

1.) Person must be insured
2.) Person must have a City of Columbia Business License
3.) Before you hire a handyman or contractor, ask for local references that you can speak to in person.
4.) Check with the Better Business Bureau to see if the person has had any complaints. The phone number for the Better Business Bureau is (573)886-8965.
5.) Have a written contract detailing the work to be done as well as when the work should be completed. Make sure the contract stipulates that if extra work needs to be done that it has to be approved of in writing before the work is completed.
6.) Be cautious of solicitors coming door to door offering handyman work or construction.  If you are in doubt, have an established business come out to do an evaluation and repair estimate.
7.) Be wary of high pressure sales tactics or a deal that must be made immediately with the person at your front door.
8.) Make sure you have complete business information not just a card with the name of the person.

If you have questions or feel you have been a victim of a scam, call the Columbia Police Department at (573) 874-7652 or Joint Communications non-emergency number (573) 442-6131 and report it.

Without a report, the Columbia Police Department is not aware it’s happening and cannot follow up on it. Not reporting it allows the person to continue without a business license and possible criminal activity.