An unexpected sales pitch paved the way to a terrifying ordeal for one gas station owner.
According to Lisa Hoang of Moore, Oklahoma, she allegedly fell victim to an attempted extortion by a rogue paving crew. The confrontation happened when workers from Done Right Paving, based in Kalispell, Montana, allegedly dumped their extra asphalt across the OK Stop parking lot.
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No formal contract between Done Right and OK Stop was drafted, so the work wasn’t approved, Hoang told News 4 KFOR.
“We need to know in advance how much [the cost] is, and he says [s] he just [has] a little left over asphalt and it wouldn’t cost much to us,” Hoang explained.
Hoang and her family refused to pay the $12,000 bill. As a result, the Done Right Paving crew scraped up the asphalt and piled it against the OK Stop entrance, trapping the family inside.
The scam is not uncommon in Oklahoma, and typically happens when northern paving companies travel south for work. But here’s how to avoid being caught in a similar sticky situation.
‘We were so scared’
Unfortunately, similar asphalt scams have been reported across Oklahoma in recent years.
Larry Patrick, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Asphalt Paving Association, which represents 95% of the legitimate paving companies in the state, says it happens every few years. “These individuals will come in, go to an asphalt plant, and they’ll buy a dump truck load of asphalt and they’ll pay cash,” Patrick said. “Then they just go out roaming around trying to find an individual or somebody.”
The perpetrators are often out-of-state companies, many from northern states where paving work is limited by colder weather during spring.
What seemed like a casual offer for the Hoangs quickly escalated into a high-pressure situation, as the workers began laying asphalt before any price or contract was discussed.
“When he realized we won’t pay, he rushed out the door, used the equipment to scrape the whole parking lot back and forth, a big chunk,” she said. “They pushed it up against the front door, trapping our family inside the business.”
“It happened so fast, we couldn’t do anything,” Hoang added. “We were so scared.”
News 4 made multiple attempts to contact Done Right Paving for comment, to little avail.
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What to do if you’re targeted by a fraudulent contractor
Consumer protection experts urge residents to know their rights and take action when facing fraudulent or threatening service providers. Incidents like the one that Hoang experienced are scary, and they may also violate federal and state consumer protection laws.
The Oklahoma Attorney General has a Consumer Protection Unit that investigates cases involving unauthorized services, deceptive business practices and aggressive or threatening behavior by contractors.
To protect yourself, here’s what you need to do if you find yourself in a similar situation:
- Document everything: Take photos and video of the damage, the workers, their vehicles and any obstructions or results of threatening behavior. Save all communication, including texts, voicemails, emails, invoices or handwritten notes from the business.
- Refuse unsolicited work: Refusing any work would be legally supported in many cases. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) makes it clear under its Unordered Merchandise Rule that consumers are not required to pay for unwanted goods or services.
- Call the police: If you’re being harassed for payment after any unauthorized work, contact your local police department and file a report.
In Oklahoma, victims can file a complaint directly with the Consumer Protection Unit. Nationally, consumers can report scams to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), or through the Better Business Bureau’s Scam Tracker tool. The National Association of Attorneys General also provides an online resource to find and contact your state’s consumer protection office.
How can you avoid these scams in the first place?
Common warning signs include unsolicited visits, unwillingness to provide a written estimate, out-of-state license plates, cash-only demands and intimidation tactics.
Experts recommend that consumers never allow work to begin without a written contract. The agreement should include the business name, physical address, the contractor’s license number (if applicable), an itemized invoice and payment terms. It’s also advised that you check the company’s track record through the Better Business Bureau or a state contractor licensing board.
Lisa Hoang’s story is not unique, but through sharing her experience, she hopes others will be able to protect themselves. Being proactive and informed is your best defense against fraud. Additionally, knowing your rights, acting quickly and reporting suspicious activity can help stop scammers before they do serious harm.
For the Hoangs, they’re looking into their legal options against Done Right Paving of Montana.
“We will press charges and hopefully the police can get those guys arrested,” Hoang said.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
