{"id":26275,"date":"2026-01-28T06:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-28T11:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ecoticias.com\/en\/?p=26275"},"modified":"2026-01-27T04:29:01","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T09:29:01","slug":"an-89-year-old-woman-was-promised-that-her-chimney-would-be-repaired-had-15000-in-cash-taken-for-a-fake-repair-and-now-authorities-are-warning-of-a-wave-of-door-to-door-scams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ecoticias.com\/en\/an-89-year-old-woman-was-promised-that-her-chimney-would-be-repaired-had-15000-in-cash-taken-for-a-fake-repair-and-now-authorities-are-warning-of-a-wave-of-door-to-door-scams\/26275\/","title":{"rendered":"An 89-year-old woman was promised that her chimney would be repaired, had $15,000 in cash taken for a fake repair, and now authorities are warning of a wave of door-to-door scams"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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<\/a> involving a person over sixty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chimneys and heating systems genuinely need care. Energy and fire experts say regular inspections<\/a> and modern wood stoves can cut creosote buildup, lower smoke pollution and reduce chimney fire risk, while saving fuel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Read More: The Ingram Independent School District issues an urgent alert: classes are canceled. Ice takes hold of Texas and forces the mass closure of schools<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

An EPA certified stove<\/a> can be about fifty percent more efficient than older models and use roughly one-third less wood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So how do scams<\/a> slip in? Regulators in Connecticut recently warned about chimney fraud<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Illinois, Attorney General Kwame Raoul has urged residents to be wary of anyone who arrives uninvited to sell repairs or offer free inspections<\/a>, especially after storms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Read More: Serbia: a 4,600-year-old tomb with a gold diadem and three teeth is discovered\u2026 and that combination is disrupting the Bronze Age timeline<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Federal consumer advisers<\/a> 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Read More: New York buried under 40 centimeters of snow\u2026 and another storm just as strong or worse is coming this weekend<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the day, checking credentials, slowing down and helping older neighbors vet contractors supports safer, more efficient<\/a> and sustainable homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The official statement was published by the Office of the Illinois Attorney General<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

An eighty-nine-year-old woman in Crystal Lake, Illinois thought she was opening the door for a chimney repair. Instead, authorities say … <\/p>\n

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