KENNEBUNK — The Kennebunk Police Department has charged Franklin Dee, 23, of Graham Street, Biddeford, with a transient seller registration violation, a Class D crime, and home repair fraud, a Class D crime.

These charges were the result of an investigation into Dee after he allegedly received almost $5,000 in checks from an 89-year-old man for home repair work, which had not been started or contracted in a legal manner.

During the investigation, officers encountered Patrick Fecteau, 28, of Roberts Street in Biddeford. Fecteau had an active warrant for failure

to appear.

After his arrest, Fecteau was found to have heroin on his person. He was charged with unlawful possession of a scheduled drug, a Class C crime, and violating conditions of release, a Class E crime.

According to the Kennebunk Police Department, transient sellers promote home repair scams to unsuspecting homeowners. These scams include, but are not limited to, asphalt paving, driveway spray coating, heat-taping the roof, roof repairs, tree removal and tree trimming. Transient sellers will target anyone, though senior citizens are preyed upon at a particularly alarming rate.

Typically, these scammers will appear at one’s home without notice or invitation. They will point out something they say needs attention, such as a driveway which needs to be seal-coated. They may offer leftover materials from a nearby job, such as asphalt paving, at a reduced rate. They may inquire about septic tank cleaning and ask to inspect the homeowner’s system.

“The key thing to remember that is you did not recognize a problem at your home and then solicit their assistance; they just showed up at your doorstep,” reads a release from the KPD. “Home repair scammers are always vague about estimates, amounts of materials and final costs. They will sometimes insist on money up front and then disappear without doing any work. Or, at the end of a job, the homeowner will discover that far more materials were needed than what was originally expected. Many times they will insist on cash for payment or will want the homeowner to accompany them to the bank to cash a check. Scammers will often use high pressure tactics, insisting that the work needed is of an emergency nature or that their offer is only good ”˜here and now.’ If the work is an emergency, you’ll know beforehand and if the offer is legitimate, it will be there tomorrow.”

Kennebunk police advise that if a person needs home repairs, to consider using only local contractors to do the work.

“Check with family and friends for recommendations about reputable contractors that they have used in the past,” according to the KPD. “Look for contractors who advertise in the yellow pages, in local newspapers or on the web. Legitimate contractors do not feel the need to go door to door to find prospective customers. They do not normally ask for money in advance of doing the work. They will evaluate the repairs needed and give you a detailed estimate. prior to starting the job. They do not normally have materials left over from a previous job that they need to get rid of right away at a bargain price. A legitimate contractor will know of all licenses needed for any given job and will be willing to prove to you that those requirements have been met. Legitimate contractors usually have their business name on their vehicles and their contracts or receipts; they will not cover their license plates with a towel, rag or other covering in an attempt to conceal it.”

The KPD statement said that transient sellers who go door to door to sell products or services in an unsolicited manner are required to have a peddler’s permit. They are required to give a written estimate and wait three days prior to starting any work.

Anyone in doubt can verify the possession of a peddler’s permit by calling the Kennebunk Town Clerk Office at 985-2102, ext.1326.

Those who feel they have been victimized by a transient seller or scammer are advised to contact the Kennebunk Police Department immediately at 985-6121.

“Don’t be embarrassed or feel ashamed,” states the KPD. “These people are experts at their profession and anyone can be a victim.”