SPRINGFIELD, ILL. -- The Illinois attorney general's office says homeowners should be wary of people who go door-to-door offering to make house repairs.

To make sure people aren't duped, the agency says people should rely on recommendations from people they trust to work on their homes.

Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office recently filed three lawsuits against people and companies that took money from homeowners but did substandard work or didn't finish the work they had promised.

Madigan says another way homeowners can protect themselves is to ask to see local permits and not make full payment for the work until it's all finished.