LEON COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - The Leon County Sheriff's Office is warning people about driveway repair scams.
Officials state that scams usually involve a sales representative coming to a consumer's house claiming they have extra asphalt and can fix their driveway at a low price.
The catch is that consumers are pressured to make a quick decision and asked to pay for the services upfront only with cash.
Consumers say that the scams end with their driveway being left unfinished and representatives claiming to return the next day to finish the job. When the representatives don't come back to do so consumers have no way of contacting the business or the individual.
To avoid being the victim of paving scams authorities urge the public to be cautious of these red flags:
●There are leftover materials from another job. Professional asphalt contractors know, with great accuracy, how much paving material is needed to complete each project. Rarely will they have leftover material.
●You are pushed to make a quick decision. Trustworthy contractors will provide a written estimate that will be valid for days or weeks. It should specify in detail the work to be performed and the total price.
●Cash-only sales. Most reputable contractors will take checks or credit cards.
●The company is from out of state. Look at the truck the representative travels in. If it is unmarked or has an out-of-state license plate, be cautious. Even if the representative claims to have a local phone number, scammers can easily purchase disposable cell phones to provide a local number in the area they are soliciting.
