They’ve said they believe it could be an attempt to defraud senior citizens.

By Anicka Slachta (Patch Staff) – December 5, 2016 6:08 pm ET

Oak Park and River Forest police are asking residents — especially senior citizens — to be careful after several incidents of people posing as official town employees were reported two weeks ago.

Wendy Senger, Oak Park’s management analyst, said in a release the people posing as township reps could be doing so in an attempt to defraud senior citizens, according to the Chicago Tribune.

In the first incident of deception, the Tribune reported, someone approached a resident on the 1000 block of Marion Street around 1:30 p.m. and tried to strike a conversation.

“The resident declined,” Oak Park’s Police Commander LaDon Reynolds said.

No crime was committed, by Reynolds said it was regarded as a “suspicious incident.”

In a second instance, two women who identified themselves as working for Oak Park and River Forest Senior Services went into the home of an older resident Nov. 23. Police said the pair allegedly tried to defraud the senior citizen. No further details have been provided as of Monday evening.

“If someone claims to be from the township, please ask to see an official ID,” Senger said in the release. “If there is a suspicion of illegal representation of a township employee, please also contact the police by calling 911.”

Oak Park and River Forest also provided several tips for seniors who could be dealing with issues like these:

• Confirm in-home appointments by calling Oak Park Township Senior Services at 708-383-8060
• Always be skeptical of unsolicited offers
• Never give out credit card, banking, social security, Medicare or other personal information, especially over the phone
• Ask to see an official River Forest and Oak Park Senior Services ID
• Call 911 to report suspicious activity, or call the police departments’ non-emergency lines to report incidents