Rockford BBB Warns Of Fall Season Scams That Are Heating Up

Scams happen year-round, but certain times of the year bring spikes because scammers exploit seasonal habits, deadlines, and emotions.

Seriously, pick your time of the year, and there will be a pattern of scams that take place during that time period. Here are some examples:

• Tax season (January-April): Huge surge in IRS impersonation scams, fake tax preparers, and phishing emails about refunds.
• Holiday shopping season (November-December): Online shopping scams, fake delivery notifications, bogus charity solicitations, and gift card scams skyrocket.
• Summer (May-August): Travel scams (fake vacation rentals, airline deals, timeshares), moving scams, and employment scams targeting students.
• Back-to-school (August-September): Student loan repayment scams, fake scholarship offers, and tech support scams targeting parents and students.
• Spring/Fall storms & disasters: After natural disasters like hurricanes, floods, or wildfires, charity scams and contractor fraud often rise.

With fall starting officially on Monday at 1:19pm local time, it's time to be on the lookout for the fall scams that are being perpetrated here in Illinois.

The Better Business Bureau Is Warning Consumers To Stay Vigilant Against Seasonal Scams That Tend To Spike During The Fall Months

According to the Rockford Regional Office of the Better Business Bureau (BBB), fall is prime season for home improvement scams.

Dennis Horton, senior director of the Rockford BBB:

These scams rank as the fifth-riskiest for consumers, with a median loss of $1,800. Fraudsters often take advantage of homeowners during this transitional time, offering unnecessary or substandard services that can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

These Are The Fall Season Scams The BBB Says You Need To Be Aware Of

Although there will always be variations of scams, the BBB says that typical home improvement scams in the fall often include these types:

Chimney/Roof Repairs: Scammers disguised as chimney sweeps will tell you your
chimney needs to be inspected and then use hard sales tactics to get you to make
expensive, unfounded repairs. Don't fall for it.

Fake energy audits and furnace checkups: Never let anyone in your home unless you contacted and checked them out ahead of time. Be very leery of anyone who knocks on your door unsolicited.

Gutter Cleaning: Fraudulent gutter cleaners prey on the elderly or those who cannot
easily clean their gutters. They will claim they have worked in the neighborhood before
and quote you a very low estimate in return for shoddy, incomplete work.

Energy Audits/Door-to-Door Furnace Repairs: Many scammers offer a "free" energy
audit to reduce heating costs, claiming to be representatives of your local utility
company. They insist on costly upgrades for your attics, such as solar blankets or
insulation, and may or may not burglarize your home while conducting the audit.

Ductwork Cleaning: Ductwork cleaning is rarely a necessity, so take caution. Scammers are known to damage your heating system while cleaning, costing you additional repairs. This damage also may create indoor air hazards.