An eighty-nine-year-old woman in Crystal Lake, Illinois thought she was opening the door for a chimney repair. Instead, authorities say she lost $15,000 in cash to Anthony Miller of Schaumburg, who is accused of posing as a driveway and chimney worker and now faces theft by deception charges involving a person over sixty.
Chimneys and heating systems genuinely need care. Energy and fire experts say regular inspections and modern wood stoves can cut creosote buildup, lower smoke pollution and reduce chimney fire risk, while saving fuel.
An EPA certified stove can be about fifty percent more efficient than older models and use roughly one-third less wood.
So how do scams slip in? Regulators in Connecticut recently warned about chimney fraud and noted that chimney fires cause around 25,000 fires and about $125 million in property damage each year nationwide. That mix of safety fears and costly work can leave older homeowners exposed.
In Illinois, Attorney General Kwame Raoul has urged residents to be wary of anyone who arrives uninvited to sell repairs or offer free inspections, especially after storms.
A 2025 consumer alert tells people to ask for licenses, get written estimates and avoid paying in cash or in full before work is finished.
Federal consumer advisers list more red flags, such as contractors who say they are “in the area”, push for an instant decision, demand all cash or steer you toward their lender.
At the end of the day, checking credentials, slowing down and helping older neighbors vet contractors supports safer, more efficient and sustainable homes.
The official statement was published by the Office of the Illinois Attorney General.
