Two New York men appeared before a judge Wednesday after allegedly trying to swindle thousands of dollars from an elderly Milford woman.

Investigators say Oswaldo Rivera and Stephen Modzeweski worked for a New York company called Guaranteed Home Improvement and offered to sweep 79-year-old Jane Viola's chimney for $39.95. However, when they arrived, investigators say they tried to charge her nearly $3,500.

Viola says she kicked the men out of her home and called them back weeks later to do another job, but had police and consumer protection services waiting.

Authorities are now warning residents to be on the lookout for similar schemes. Rivera and Modzeweski have been charged with unlicensed craftsmanship and attempted larceny. They have posted bail.