The police department's Northeast Detectives Division is urging homeowners, especially senior citizens, to be wary of traveling scam artists using a roof-repair pitch to rob area residents.

Police received four complaints of roof-repair scams during a recent eight-day period. In each case, two men used the same method to gain access to victims' homes.

On April 17, an 80-year-old Bridesburg woman lost $31,000, according to Detective Bill DuBoe. The victim opened her front door for two men who told her that her roof looked like it needed repair. Once inside the home, one of the men distracted the victim, while the other went upstairs and stole the cash from two suitcases.

The following day, an 86-year-old Mayfair man lost $2,800 the same way.

On April 19, two men attempted the same scam at a home in Holmesburg. The target, a 78-year-old woman, asked the men for identification and the name of the company they worked for. The men left empty-handed.

But on April 24, the con artists convinced an 83-year-old Oxford Circle man that he needed a whole new roof. The suspects drove the senior citizen to his bank, where he withdrew $3,500 and gave it to them. The workers never returned to fix the roof.

Both suspects are white, DuBoe said. One is in his 40s or 50s. He is about 5-feet-9 and heavy-set.

The other man is in his 20s or 30s. He is about 6-feet tall with gray hair and a thin build.

They drive a late model Ford pickup truck with a covered cab and a ladder rack. The men use walkie-talkies to communicate with each other, DuBoe said. The men may speak with an Irish accent.

According to the detective, similar incidents have been reported in South Philadelphia.

Senior citizens should avoid keeping large sums of cash on hand, DuBoe said, and should not let any strangers into their homes.

"Ask questions. If they're legit, they'll stick around," DuBoe said.

Residents should ask to see identification from the workers. When in doubt, residents can call the Better Business Bureau to find out if the company is registered.

If a scam is suspected, they should call 911.

Anyone with information about the suspects or any other fraudulent activity is asked to call Northeast Detectives at 215-686-3153.