Catfishing schemes and tap-to-pay scams are on the rise, but there’s a new one that’s reportedly paving the way: the driveway scam.
A New Jersey homeowner says she was approached at her front door in March by a company called “Total Paving and Masonry,” which apparently offers driveway repair services and group rates it claimed her neighbors had already taken advantage of.
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But to the homeowner’s horror, the company left her driveway in disrepair and increased the cost of their initial quote by thousands of dollars. As it turned out, “Total Paving and Masonry” was, in fact, a scam.
And the suspects might have gotten away with the homeowner’s money if they hadn’t made one small mistake: their trucks were blocking the driveway of a neighbor who called police to get them moved.
Other neighbors reported that 33-year-old Patrick Connors, the man allegedly behind the scam company, was driving up and down the street advertising driveway repair services and handing out business cards. One resident became suspicious when she asked Connors to provide a contractor permit, which he reportedly said was in his truck, but police say Connors never showed it to her.
Connors was charged with several consumers affairs violations and criminal offenses, and the company’s trucks were impounded. But Connors, unfortunately, is likely not the only one out there running a contractor scam.
Should homeowners be worried?
While residents of that New Jersey neighborhood may have been new to the scheme, driveway repair fraud is a widespread problem, especially in the warmer spring months when outdoor repairs are often done.
Homeowners throughout the country should be on alert, especially elderly homeowners, or those who don’t have experience with repair projects and know what the costs should be.
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How these driveway scams work
Like with the New Jersey homeowner, a scammer pretending to be a contractor typically knocks on a homeowner’s door to advertise a service. These scammers may say they have already been doing work in the area, or have given quotes to neighbors before noticing that your driveway also needs some work.
They might offer a discount if the homeowner can pay a fee upfront since they’re already in the area. Once that’s paid, they might say they need to finish the job at another house around the corner before never coming back.
On the other hand, they might actually do some work on your driveway after you’ve made a payment. But the work may appear unprofessional and unfinished – or they may even damage your driveway further like they did with the New Jersey homeowner.
Meanwhile, there’s a good chance that any contact information they’ve provided will likely be phony, leaving you with no way to complain or get your money back.
Red flags to watch for
With the spring months underway and summer on the horizon, homeowners are likely to find numerous sales reps and contractors on their doorsteps. Let’s explore some of the warning signs that may help you discern whether that friendly contractor at your door is actually a scammer.
They have no contractor permit: Always ask if they can produce a legitimate permit before initiating any repairs or making any transactions.
They won’t provide a written estimate: A lack of an upfront contract is a warning sign that you’re either about to get shoddy work or no work at all. If there’s no contract or price estimate, there’s nothing to protect you.
They show up unsolicited and ask for immediate payment: Door-to-door sales aren’t uncommon, but making an on-the-spot transaction for a repair that might cost thousands of dollars should raise alarm bells. They may also request cash only.
If you believe you may have fallen victim to a driveway repair or another type of contractor scam, make sure to document all records related to the transaction and keep any business cards or contact information they gave you. Also, make sure to take photos of any work they did or did not do on your property.
Even if they did complete work on your driveway, you should still consider filing a complaint since there’s a good chance the work wasn’t done properly. Contact your local police department and report the incident to the Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker. Furthermore, don’t forget to inform your neighbors that they should be careful with contractors showing up at their door.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
