Citizens,

It has come to our attention that contractors have been coming door to door in Tyrone neighborhoods soliciting their services to homeowners who were affected by last week's storms. Some have even been successful in making appointments to make repairs.

We just want to remind you to be very careful when dealing with anyone soliciting your business by going door to door. When the tornadoes came through the Atlanta area last March, there were several cases of fraud by contractors going door to door in Henry County. They made appointments, asked for a deposit, and never returned to do the work. We have not had any reported cases of fraudulent activity in Tyrone as a result of the storms at this time, but the environment is "just right" for it to occur.

If your home was damaged in the storms and you need to find a contractor, we suggest using an established local contractor with a good reputation in the community or getting a referral from a friend or family member. Of course, you also want to make sure that the contractor is bonded and/or insured before allowing them to work on or in your home and that you have the scope of the work to be performed and the price in writing. The Georgia Department of Consumer Affairs has a great web page with tips on dealing with contractors at http://consumer.georgia.gov/00/article/0,2086,5426814_39039081_39334354,....

Finally, the Town of Tyrone has an ordinance against soliciting door to door without a license. While we don't recommend opening your door to strangers, it is perfectly OK to ask the person soliciting to see their Town-issued permit if you do. If they can't produce a permit, please call our dispatch center at 770-461-HELP(4357) immediately to report it. We have recently arrested wanted persons as a result of citizens reporting suspicious soliciting here in Town.

-Chief Perkins