As the change of season approaches the warmer weather comes, it also brings those who wish to take advantage of unsuspecting residents and members of the elderly community. Persons passing themselves off as legitimate service providers such as contractors, solicitors, or utilities workers use these pretexts to commit ruse burglaries or fraud. Remember that the Village does now allow solicitors to conduct business without being vetted and having received a permit to conduct their work. If you have anyone that comes to your door as a solicitor or as a worker that you cannot identify, please do not open your doors for them and contact police. A police officer will be sent to the area to check on the person and ensure that they are who they say they are and hold the appropriate permit to work. Do not open the door or go outside with them, these offenders will distract you while others enter your home and go through your personal items for things of value to take. 

People who commit these types of offenses will sometimes look like workers from public works or contractors to confuse their victims. If you have any doubts about the legitimacy about a person's credentials, we ask that you call police for assistance. Also, if someone approaches you and offers to do work for you at your home or for your automobile and the price is too good to pass up, it is more likely an attempt to defraud you. Call police and we can verify if the person is a legitimate contractor who is authorized to be in the village to conduct business. 

Note: Village employees will not normally come to your door unless it is an emergency. Any work is usually scheduled with the resident ahead of time. Village employees all have ID's displaying who they are and that they are employed by the Village of Summit. You can also contact the Village at 708-563-4817 and speak with Maribel Solis to verify the employment and visit by someone who is claiming to be a Village employee. If there is any doubt, do not open the door and call 911 for police.