Local police are warning residents not to allow inside their homes strangers or others that haven't been invited.

Authorities have warned that crimes committed elsewhere in the county might start occurring here- unless people are careful.

In Ventura, a group of Hispanic males has allegedly been targeting victims over age 50, according to a police report. Suspects appear at the door and claim they were sent from a roofing company to inspect the condition of the homeowner's roof, which is a lie. The men hadn't been contacted by anyone.

Once inside the dwelling, several more males arrive and walk through the house and various rooms, claiming that they're inspecting ceilings and support structures. Then, one of the men distracts the victim while others pilfer valuables. After the thieves depart, the victim realizes that a burglary has occurred.

"In Los Angeles, there was another situation where people showed up at doors looking like city employees with uniforms with official-looking emblems on them," said Detective Eric Buschow of the Thousand Oaks Police Department.

The men said they came to inspect something, but once the door was open, they robbed the victim at gunpoint, he said.

Legitimate representatives from a city or utility companies usually don't just arrive at people's homes unexpectedly. Legitimate businesses doing residential repairs only appear at a house after somebody calls and makes a request, Buschow said.

"If someone shows up at your door and you're not sure about them, call the police and verify their validity to be there," he said.

Con artists use many techniques and ruses, but ultimately the method is the same—gain trust, enter a dwelling and use distraction to steal things of value.