Delaware State Police gives advice on how to prevent fraud

home improvement fraud was arrested last night. 75-year-old frederick maahs was wanted for allegedly not following through on work after accepting money. lewes p-d says maahs — took about 3-thousand dollars from a couple in their 80s to build a deck — but never came back to do the work. as a result of dozens of telephone calls and tips from members of the public — the lewes police department was to find and arrest maahs at a residence in the harrington area. there were warrants out for his arrest for similar charges in wilmington, georgetown, and milton as well — he was formally charged in all jurisdictions. and while maahs will have his day in court for those charges — delaware state police say defrauding the elderly happens all too frequently. 47 abc’s justina coronel has details and tips to avoid becoming a victim. track 1 frederick maahs is facing charges for felony home improvement fraud — allegedly targeting the elderly in delaware. shirley washington says she was one of his victims –having contacted maahs to do yard work and to fix a leaky roof. despite paying over 600-dollars — she says maahs did none of the work. he showed me a picture of his quote on quote shop that had been burned to the ground. and he said that’s why he hadn’t called me. and of course my window was in this shop that was burned down. track 2 delaware state police say washington wasn’t the only victim — and that maahs defrauded a number of elderly delawareans. detective timothy shockley says it’s not uncommon for older folks to be targeted. they come from a different period where they, there houses are now becoming to the age that they need repairs butt sot they’re trusting, back in the day, they did business with a handshake and a nod and wink. track 3 while times may have changed — shockley says you can still protect yourself. the main thing is to do your homework. to really, go over the contractor to make sure that you know you see his work. go to his job sight that he’s working on, or she’s working on. and to look at that work that he or she is doing. track 4 shockley also recommends to thoroughly go over the contract to make sure everything is correct. and keep detailed records of everything throughout the process — that way if something suspicious happens — police have concrete evidence to work off of keep any records of communication between you and the contractor. it’s very important to show the intent that he was out to defraud you out of the money. track 5 justina coronel 47 abc state police remind residents who think they may be the victim of fraud of any sort — to call police right away. delaware prosecutors have dropped charges