Paving scam's back again; don't fall for it
Holden Police are warning homeowners about a paving scam being reported throughout the area that nearly cost a man there thousands of dollars.
Here's the way the scam played out:
A man in a pickup stopped by a residence in Holden on Friday and said he had extra asphalt and would give a deal on paving the driveway. They agreed on a price per square foot, but the paver wouldn't provide an estimate for the job.
After the job was done, the foreman handed the resident a ridiculously high invoice - $6,200.
The resident paid by check and when the paver went to the bank to cash it, a bank employee called the resident and the check was stopped.
Other similar scams have been reported in the area, police said.
Holden Police Detective Sgt. Chris Carey warned homeowners to beware of roving workers who:
- Say they have leftover materials from another job
- Pressure you to make a quick decision so that you can't check them out
- Demand you pay in cash
- Refuse to provide a written contract
- Are using vehicles with out of state plates
The author is solely responsible for the content.
About the author
Mitch Lipka is one of America's leading consumer journalists and advocates. He is an expert in product safety, recalls, scams, and helping consumers get out of jams. He is a nationally known consumer columnist and runs TheConsumerChronicle.com. He lives in Worcester. You can find him on Facebook or reach him at ConsumerNews@Aol.com