I got to my 11 am appointment a few minutes early. One of her gutters was damaged plus she needed the shingle overhang on three of the runs trimmed back. She also needed gutter protection (277 feet). It was a decent-sized job.

I had two hours before my next appointment so i grabbed lunch. Soon after ordering the open-faced roast beef the phone rang. It was the 84-year-old "Sophie," who told me that she had to cancel the job because her bank account had been comprised. She showed me four gift cards which she had been instructed to deliver. I followed her all over town hoping to cut her off at the pass (the scammers still had her on the phone). She finally stopped at a gas station where i tried to explain to her that she was being scammed. Ive also been in contact with the local police, with a deputy pulling up shortly thereafter. We both tried to explain that she was being scammed. Sadly, "Sophie" said that she'd already screen-shotted the cards (one was for $500 and four others were for $200 apiece) and given the numbers to the scammers.

People: if you have an elderly relative please look out for his/her well-being. It is, after all, a rough world out there.