'Tis the Season ... for Paving Scams?

If the sales pitch offering cheap home improvement work sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. The "extra asphalt" is a lie. 

That’s according to law enforcement and public safety officials, who say “paving scams,” in particular, can increase during the spring and summer seasons in Massachusetts.

Local law enforcement and the Commonwealth Fusion Center, which recently released a public service announcement on paving scams, say roving scamsters pose as work crews and offer to pave driveways at discounted prices – often attributing the price reduction to surplus paving materials. 

The rouse then branches off in one of a few directions, all of them downhill.

In some cases, the conman will claim some sort of mistake was made and the customer owes a sum of money far exceeding quote. Another variation couples the scam with breaking-and-entering, in which one "worker" will distract the homeowner while a partner sneaks around back.

Sound familiar? It's happened here in Lexington in the past, and reports of similar activity have come in nearby communities already this year.

Earlier this month, police in Concord pesponded to a report of someone approaching a Peter Bulkeley Road resident and soliciting seal coat for the driveway. The caller said he declined the service, but wanted the incident logged.

A few paving scams have been reported in recent years in Bedford, according to Lt. Scott Jones, of the Bedford Police Department.

“The main thing we try to impress upon people, is if you’re not having it done, don’t do it,” Jones said, offering a first line of defense against possible scams. 

The scam-and-burgle double whammy was in Lexington a few times last year. 

One of the rouses used in Lexington was for a man to suggest coming onto the property to do paving/yard/tree work while a partner enters the house to burgle it.

“Soliciting to your door should put you on alert,” Lexington Police Det. Steve Garabedian said at the time. “If someone does come to your door, they should be well ID’d.”

Asking for identification is often an affective defense against home improvement scams, according to law enforcement. The Better Business Bureau of Eastern Massachusetts also offers information about reliable contractors for home improvement work.

For more information about paving scams, the Commonwealth Fusion Center’s PSA is included below.

A man knocks on your door and says he has extra asphalt and is willing to pave your driveway at a discounted price. His high pressure approach confuses and intimidates. You are not getting a deal, you are being scammed.

If you agree, here is what likely happens. Men and equipment suddenly appear and begin “working” on your driveway. At some point, the conman claims a mistake was made and you owe thousands more than the original price.  He threatens that if you refuse to pay, the “work” will cease.  You may be escorted to the bank, to withdraw money. When you realize the scam you try to cancel the check only to learn it was cashed within minutes of it being written.

Paving scams like this occur regularly in Massachusetts and increase during spring and summer. The perpetrators target senior citizens and are well known to police across the country. Criminal charges vary by state but are commonly filed.

Avoid victimization and consider the following suggestions:

• Beware of unsolicited offers to do paving work. Do not let the solicitors inside your home. Calmly but firmly tell the solicitors you are not interested and tell them to leave your property. If they refuse your instructions call the police. 
• Educate yourself and your family. Search the Internet for “paving scams.”
• Ask to see proof of the solicitors’ insurance. Conmen rarely have worker’s compensation insurance and if one of them is injured at your home, the claim could be made against your homeowner’s insurance.
• Call the police if they begin “working” without your consent for service.
• Be a good neighbor. Paving scams target senior citizens.
• Call the police if you have questions, or if unfamiliar people or companies appear at your door or in your neighborhood.

This article is intended as a public service announcement. It is a warning that joins numerous similar warnings that have appeared in newspapers, on television and been sent out by the AARP. Your vigilance will help police in their effort to keep Massachusetts safe and secure. When faced with one of these scammers remember, there is no such thing as extra asphalt.