Montgomery County officials are warning homeowners about a rise in driveway paving scams involving unlicensed contractors. The Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) has received several recent reports of scammers targeting residents with low-cost paving offers.
These crews often go door to door, pressure homeowners, and claim to be working nearby with leftover materials. In many cases, the work is poorly done, left incomplete, or not authorized by the homeowner.
“They use intimidation and deception,” said County Executive Marc Elrich in a statement. “No one should have to deal with that at their front door.”
OCP says scammers often ask for upfront payments, raise prices mid-job, or disappear before completing the work.
“These crews lower prices for cash and return repeatedly to pressure residents,” said OCP Investigator Lee Glass.
The agency reported an increase in such scams over the past two months and is urging residents to report them early.
In one case, a homeowner called OCP after seeing suspicious paving activity in their neighborhood. OCP and Montgomery County Police responded and impounded a truck, trailer, and paving machine tied to the group. The unlicensed crew had already paved more than a dozen driveways in the area, officials said.
To avoid scams, residents should follow these tips:
- Don’t hire contractors who arrive uninvited
- Confirm licenses with the Maryland Home Improvement Commission
- Ask for identification and written contracts
- Don’t pay in full upfront
- Report suspicious activity to OCP at 240-777-3636
OCP encourages victims to report scams even if the work is finished. Reports can help protect others.
For help, visit the OCP office at 100 Maryland Ave. in Rockville, open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information or to file a consumer complaint call 240-777-3636 or visit the OCP website.
