Protecting Yourself From Diversion Scams

Posted on Tuesday, April 29, 2025

by AMAC, D.J. Wilson

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Diversion scams are techniques used by criminals to shift attention away from something. Crimes involving diversions are on the rise. Learn wise ways to protect yourself.

Though we strive to live in a world filled with goodness, unfortunately life isn’t always a bed of roses. Regrettably, there are scammers out there seeking to prey on the innocent.

Learn more about recent diversion scams targeting senior citizens.

Happening in Philadelphia

A recent cluster of diversion-style burglaries at Philly homes has been reported. In each case, two men working in unison posed as fencers or electricians to gain access to the homes of elderly victims.

How it works

Working in tandem, one scammer occupies the victim by creating a diversion. The other then rummages through the home, stealing jewelry, cash, and other valuable items. So far, over $250,000 has been stolen from elderly victims.

Some incidents

Per NBC10 Philadelphia, in one March occurrence, a man knocked on an elderly woman’s door and claimed to be working on her neighbor’s fence. The man said he needed access to her yard to make the repair. While he distracted her outside, a second suspect entered the home and stole approximately $25,000 plus jewelry.

A few days later, another incident was reported. An 82-year-old man said someone knocked on his door claiming to be his neighbor’s electrician. The person asked to look at his circuit box. During that burglary, a second suspect entered the home and stole cash.

A third incident involved a man posing as an electrician. In that case, the home was ransacked and a safe was stolen.

And it continues…

What we know

This type of crime is nothing new and can occur in clusters.

It isbelieved that the above cases are connected, mainly due to the similarity of the crimes, the physical descriptions of the suspects, and the proximity in which the incidents occurred.

Police caution ALL citizens to keep their guards up as crimes of this nature can happen anywhere – in nice neighborhoods – and to people of any age.

Why are seniors being targeted for this scam?

Mature adults typically have financial savings and good credit which makes them attractive to all types of scammers. Senior citizens are also frequently home alone. On top of that, some tend to be trusting, polite, kind or vulnerable due to physical or memory limitations.

How to keep safe

The police have shared: Do NOT open the door to unknown or unverified individuals.

If you do not recognize the person knocking or ringing the doorbell, you are better off letting them walk away.

If you believe the person is likely legitimate, before opening the door, verify.

You may:

Request official identification.

Call the company directly to verify the individual’s identity using a phone number you look up. (Never call phone numbers given to you.)

As always – call 911 immediately to report anything suspicious or unsafe.

Additional home safety tips include:

Always keep doors locked and windows secure.
Reinforce home security with strong locks and monitored systems.
Ask a trusted neighbor to watch your home and form neighborhood security patrols.
Install a door with a peep hole to see who is there.
Have good lighting to increase visibility.
Do not tell strangers that you are home alone.
Do not share personal or financial information.
Remain vigilant about potential scams.
Secure your valuables and keep money and securities in a bank.
Trust your instinct. It’s okay to decline answering the door or phone.
If you feel uncomfortable allowing a stranger into your home for an appointment, ask a friend or family member to also be present.