Foreclosures are wreaking havoc, not only with the lives of the former owners, but with entire areas. Empty houses cause blight in what were formerly a well-maintained neighborhoods. Pools have become breeding grounds for mosquitoes. And now there is another problem - copper theft.
With the rise in the cost of copper, empty homes are being stripped of their copper pipes, fixtures, and even lawn ornaments. An average house can yield $1,200 in used copper. And it's not just foreclosed homes that are at risk. Homes under renovation, where the plumbing is being replaced, or where the owners are on vacation are also being targeted.
Many states are trying to pass laws that require proof of ownership before used copper can be purchased. But until that happens, the best defense is local. If you see suspicious activity in a house you know to be vacant, call the police.
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