HONEA PATH — Honea Path police are warning town residents to beware of a man operating a home repair scam.

Police Chief David King said a man has been taking advantage of the elderly by overcharging for shoddy repair work.

The suspect, someone police said they have arrested for similar scams before, has been going to residents’ homes, pointing out things that need repair and offering to do the work. In most cases, he overcharges for the work, does not do it properly, or both, King said.

“He offers to do light remodeling and roof work,” King said. “He has an order from the state to cease and desist doing any construction.”

Police have not arrested the man, whose name they declined to release, but they are tracking his actions, King said.

“He seems to know who lives alone and might have cash on hand,” King said. “He tends to target elderly people, those living alone and those without all of their mental faculties.”

Anyone with information about the suspect, or who suspects they have been scammed, should contact the police department at (864) 369-0532, Honea Path Mayor Lollis Meyers said.

“We want our residents to protect themselves from getting caught up in scams like this,” Meyers said.

The scams have occurred as far away as Iva and in Abbeville, he said.

King suggests avoiding any repairman who comes to a home offering to do work. He recommends doing research and finding reputable workers to tackle household projects, he said.

Honea Path police expect to arrest the man soon but want to prevent further scams in the meantime, King said.