A City of Green resident reported to Consumer Affairs that while working in her yard this Sunday afternoon, a man in an unmarked white pickup truck with equipment in the back pulled up and offered to pave her asphalt driveway. The consumer did not see a front license plate or business name on the side of the truck. “Tom” the door-to-door paver, told her that he had left over material from a prior job and when driving by saw that her driveway was in need of repairs. The job would normally cost $1,000, but for only $650 she could have it repaired and ready for the winter. He also claimed that the material he had in the truck was higher quality than products sold in home improvement stores and would last at least five years.
“Asphalt driveways that are worn and faded are easy to spot, making many consumers an easy target for asphalt paving scams,” said Cynthia Sich, Director of the Office of Consumer Affairs. “Con-artists who have no permanent business location and wander through many counties or states, known as “travelers”, are looking to make their final sales before moving off to warmer climates.” Many times, travelers “seal” a driveway with a poor quality material or paint that will wash off in the rain.
Recognize the Signs of a Scam:
- Claims of leftover asphalt from another job: Professional asphalt contractors know how much paving material is needed to complete a project, so it is rare they have leftover material and are driving around door-to-door to get rid of it.
- Unmarked truck: Often the trucks are unmarked and have out of state plates.
- Push you to make a quick decision and pay with cash: Travelers do not want consumers to check them out; and with a cash payment they do not have to worry about stop payments on checks or disputes with credit card companies. After all, this great deal is a once in a lifetime offer since they are here today and gone tomorrow.
- Business cards: They might hand you a professional looking business card with their name and telephone number in order to appear trustworthy. Remember, the number could be a cell phone with an out of state area code.
- No contract offered: Legitimate companies provide written estimates and contracts specifying the work to be performed and the agreed price. Con artists give a verbal price and may ask for more money upon completion.
- Deals that seem too good to be true: They tell you how much the job would normally cost, but today they will cut the price in half. Scammers hope to lure consumers with low price offers and the ability to start working immediately. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it is.
Before hiring a contractor or agreeing to home repairs, contact the Office of Consumer Affairs at (330) 643-2879 to check on the complaint history of the company or visit their website at http://www.co.summit.oh.us/conaffairs.htm to avoid becoming the victim of a scam.