Berkeley Resident, 89, Allegedly Scammed by Fake Raccoon Removal Crew

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An 89-year-old woman in Berkeley, California was allegedly the victim of a home repair scam this week. Three men showed up at her home, claimed they could remove a raccoon from her roof, then proceeded to damage the roof themselves. They demanded $1,600 to fix the damage they had caused and left with $600 in cash and some of the woman's financial documents.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the growing problem of elder fraud and home repair scams targeting vulnerable older adults, especially those living alone. Door-to-door schemes that create a false sense of urgency are a common tactic used by scammers to take advantage of seniors.

The details

According to the victim and her neighbors, the three men arrived with a ladder, claimed they could remove a raccoon from the woman's roof, and then proceeded to tear off shingles. They initially quoted $60 to remove the animal, but later demanded $1,600 to repair the damage they had caused. The men left with $600 in cash and some of the woman's financial documents. Neighbors' security cameras captured two of the men, and they were seen speeding away in a white pickup truck.

• The incident occurred this week on February 14, 2026.

What’s next

Berkeley police are investigating the incident and urge anyone with information to come forward.