The Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) warns homeowners about driveway-paving scammers who typically look to exploit them in spring.
These scammers are a common problem in Montgomery County and across Maryland according to OCP. Homeowners should be aware and take appropriate measures to avoid falling victim to it.
In the last year, OCP took measures against individuals who performed unlicensed home improvement work, particularly those who conducted driveway paving. As a result, scammers face civil and criminal charges, with several arrest warrants issued.
The scam typically starts with someone offering to repave or seal a driveway and similar work, presented with a sense of urgency. The scammer will pitch a deal for cash on the spot or claim to have leftover material from a nearby project.
Some scammers may ask for a deposit and even begin the project, only to abandon it midway and leave with the property damaged. If they do complete the project, the work is often unsatisfactory, and their final cost generally is much more than the quoted price according to OCP.
“These scams involve driveway pavers who aren’t properly licensed as home improvement contractors as required under Montgomery County or Maryland law, or who might be soliciting against County policies,” said Lee Glass, an investigator with OCP in a press release, “They knock on people’s doors and defraud them out of money, fail to complete work, perform exceedingly sub-standard work or take their deposits and run. People have relied on the fact that others in their neighborhood have worked with a company, but that is not a fool-proof method of protecting yourself, your property or your assets.”
There is often no warranty provided in these cases, or the scammers won’t honor any warranty sold with the project. These scams can result in civil or criminal violations and, in the worst-case scenarios, fraud, theft, property destruction or elder abuse.
The OCP is working with a woman in Gaithersburg who fell victim to one of these scams. Her entire driveway needed reworking afterwards and the company damaged part of her property.
“As a community, we must remain vigilant and take appropriate measures to prevent ourselves from being deceived by fraudulent activities,” said County Executive Marc Elrich in a press release. “It is essential for residents to be aware that the Office of Consumer Protection is an excellent resource available to them whenever they suspect they are being scammed, particularly in cases related to driveway paving.”
OCP advises looking for the following red flags that may identify a scammer rather than a trustworthy professional contractor:
- The offer is unsolicited. Most scams begin when an individual appearing as a contractor goes out of their way to offer an estimate without request.
- There is no written contract upfront. The absence of a written and signed contract before any work, is a dead giveaway that a homeowner is about to be the target of a scam or receive poor quality. Contracts are in place for the protection of the business and the customer.
- They do not have a Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) license number. Homeowners must check for an MHIC number to ensure the proposal is by someone licensed. If the homeowner is unsure, they should contact OCP or the MHIC before approving the work.
- They push you to make a quick decision. Trusted contractors provide written estimates that remain valid for a specific period of time. Be cautious of contractors who insist on on-the-spot hiring.
- The offer presented is cash-only. Most reputable contractors accept checks or credit cards and do not require cash-only terms.
- The individual is from out of state or has an unmarked truck. Roaming scammers often drive unmarked trucks or have out-of-state license plates.
