Recent thefts by service workers in Collier remind owners of need for caution

Recent thefts by service workers in Collier remind owners of need for caution An East Naples maid is charged with stealing cash, a blue topaz and diamond ring and a 5. Employees are probably more trustworthy now in the bad economy, he said, adding, "In my experience, the economic downturn has created a deeper hiring pool so businesses are able to obtain the cream of the crop rather than just who will be left. Whether hiring a maid, cleaning service, handyman or air-conditioning repairman, doing a little homework and asking a few key questions helps ensure homeowners will not get victimized — or make the headlines. Vigilance does pay off if a homeowner suspects it's a maid. Here are some tips from the Collier sheriff's Crime Prevention Bureau: Be suspicious of workers who arrive unannounced. Discuss the problem with a relative, well established friend or reputable business — and get a second quote and confirm the problem. That way, the customer gets to know them. She carries her license and insurance with her, in case a homeowner asks. With several recent news reports about arrests of maids and other service workers, it may appear thefts have increased during season. The 550-member national group provides companies with its Residential Cleaning Seal of Excellence if they've been in business at least two years and submit proof of insurance, bonding, background checks and continuing education. The group recommends the Orion Pre-employment Opinion Survey, a personality test tailored to weed out unreliable and risky employees by asking applicants their opinions on work topics, accurately predicting behavior 90 percent of the time on safety, supervision, trainability, theft and drug use. Zimmer cautions homeowners to search first before calling police. "It seems that everybody automatically jumps to the conclusion that the maid did it," she said. Don't be rushed into emergency repairs. Do not provide deposits for work before it starts and don't pay until all work is complete and correct. John Barkley said that's usually because work is done to vacant homes during the summer that's not reported until homeowners return in fall. Patti Hammel of Golden Gate Estates has been operating Perfect Residential Cleaning since 1994. "If I hire somebody, I don't send them in right away," Hammel said. "We always encourage homeowners to lock up their valuables and put them in a safe and secure place if they know they are having work done," Barkley said. "Training is incredibly important because you can get to know that person well," Zimmer said, adding that employees should be trained two weeks to a month before working unsupervised. Call the Sheriff's Office at (239) 252-9300 if people are going door-to-door trying to sell a service or a product, even if they look legitimate. And a Golden Gate Estates cleaning woman who boosted her income into the six figures is sent to prison for 12 years for stealing from clients for six years, even substituting cubic zirconia in a $69,000 diamond bracelet to cover her tracks. "Those are the type of homeowners you want," said Chris Zimmer, a spokeswoman for the Association of Residential Cleaning Services Professionals, an Ohio-based industry trade group. "It's all about hiring the right people," Zimmer said, adding that insurance is more important than bonding. Recent thefts by service workers in Collier remind owners of need for caution Trade News selected by Local Linkup on 01/04/2012