Police warn of driveway contractor scam
CALN TOWNSHIP » Police are warning residents of a paving contracting scam in Caln Township.
A Loomis Avenue senior resident paid a seal coating contractor cash to seal her driveway after the contractor appeared at her home and told her he could do it cheaply for cash. The job was completed last week; however, the contractor returned a week later with a second man who identified as the contractor’s brother.
The resident was requested to complete warranty paperwork. After the resident and contractor entered the home and began to complete the forms, she heard the front door shut from an adjacent room. The contractor attempted to convince the resident that it was just the wind. The resident became nervous and felt the contractor was distracting her, so she successfully escorted him outside the home.
As the contractor began walking toward his vehicle, the second man came running from the area of the home. The resident said she was calling the police and both men fled in a silver pickup truck with what appeared to be burlap covering the license plate. On the date the driveway was sealed, the contractor arrived in a black truck, with a tank in the bed. The vehicle displayed a seal coating sign and a 1-800 phone number.
Police are warning residents to be wary of paving companies stating they have extra asphalt or seal coat ready to repair your driveway for a minimal cost. Professional asphalt contractors know, with great accuracy, how much paving material is needed to complete a project. They will rarely have leftover materials.
Police issue these tips to avoid being scammed:
• Never hire someone on the spot. Trustworthy contractors provide a written estimate that will be valid for many days. If you feel that you are being subjected to high-pressure sales tactics, end the conversation and tell the business you’re not interested.
• Do your homework. Get at least three estimates before hiring anyone. Make sure the estimates are descriptive as to what work will be done and what materials will be used.
• Don’t pay with cash. Credit cards are always best as there are options for recovering your lost funds. If you pay by check, make it out to the business, never an individual.
In this particular case, it appears that the contractor returned to distract the senior resident while a second male entered the home to engage in criminal activity. Caln Township requires that any door-to-door sales require a peddler’s permit issued by the police department pursuant to a background check. The permit must be displayed.