NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- Police in New Haven are warning residents of a scam in which the victim is duped into writing a check to Cash.

At the end of September, a woman reported two men in a white van coming to her home.

The men claimed to be with the company Chimney And Safe Homes, and said they were sent to work on her chimney by her oil company.

Police said the men charged the woman $1,600 to clean and repair her chimney and asked her to write the check out to the abbreviation of their company name, C.A.S.H.

The woman's friend, who said she was scammed the same way months before, thwarted the plan, according to police.

Police spoke with the woman's oil company, which said it had not sent anyone to work on her home.

One of the men is described as a white male, about 5 feet 9 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall with a slim build; short, light-colored hair, in his 40s. He was last seen wearing a blue shirt and tan pants. The other man is described as a white male, about 5 feet 6 inches tall with a stocky build; short, light-colored hair. He was last seen wearing a blue shirt, tan pants and white sneakers.

Police urged residents to not allow anyone to enter their home or to do business with anyone who randomly knocks on the door.

Anyone with information regarding the investigation is urged to contact the New Haven Police Robbery, Burglary Unit by dialing 203-964-6307.

E-mail news tips to Eyewitness News, or dial: 866-289-0333. Refresh WFSB.com often and watch Channel 3 Eyewitness News for the latest news updates.