Moore, of Rocky Mount, and Carmichael, of Sharpsburg, face two counts each of exploitation of the elderly.

Roanoke Rapids Deputy Chief Adam Bondarek said the men were each jailed on $10,000 bonds.

The scam involved the men telling two elderly people they had loose shingles on their roof.

They quoted a price and then stripped a portion of the roof to the plywood and upped the amount they initially quoted. In one case a victim was charged $300 for about $100 worth of work.

Bondarek said the purported contractors will show victims damp wood when there is probably nothing wrong to begin with.

Bondarek said any reputable firm is not going to solicit your business and people should be wary of door-to-door contractors.

He also said to heed the cliche if it sounds too good to be true it probably is. These people particularly prey on the elderly to get in their house to steal or defraud them.

Anyone who suspects a scam should call the police department at 252-533-2810, Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444 or 911.