Residents in the Shellharbour and southern Wollongong areas have been urged to be on alert for a roofing scam targeting vulnerable people, including the elderly, and to let police know if they've already fallen victim to the fraud.
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An increased number of reported scams in recent weeks - including one possibly linked to a hit-and-run that saw a 96-year-old Albion Park Rail man struck in his own driveway last week - has prompted Lake Illawarra police to issue a warning about the fraudulent behaviour.
Police say they fear elderly residents, usually those living alone, could be targeted by people offering to carry out roof and home repairs.
"The residents are often escorted to financial institutions, where large amounts of cash are withdrawn to pay for work, which is generally not completed," Sergeant Ellen Jackson, from Lake Illawarra police, said.
"Police would like to hear from anyone who has been approached recently, or has fallen victim to a similar scam, or knows someone who they believe has fallen victim to a similar scam."
Sgt Jackson couldn't confirm whether a scammer was responsible for running over the elderly man in the driveway of his Maple Street home on April 8.
In that incident, the 96-year-old suffered serious leg and head injuries after the driver of a white ute reversed over him.
The male driver briefly rendered assistance and drove away.
The elderly man remains in hospital and police have released dashcam images of a white ute.
"At this stage, that investigation is ongoing ... we can't confirm that it's linked, so we're investigating that avenue," Sgt Jackson said.
"[The link] has been raised but we've got nothing to confirm, so we wouldn't say that it is."
Sgt Jackson said if somebody knocked on your door and you hadn't requested repairs, then something wasn't right.
"Never let anyone that you don't know inside your house or unit, always ask for identification, a business card is never enough, and never keep large amounts of money around the house," she said.
Police don't know if one person or a group of people are responsible for the scams.
Anyone with information should call the anti-theft unit via Lake Illawarra police station on 4232 5599 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
