OPP Warns of Road Paving and Other Scams | News

As the weather warms up here, the Ontario Provincial Police are warning people about paving and other construction scams.

People warn to be aware of repair deals.

“If an offer seems too good to be true, chances are it is trying to scam you out of your money,” the OPP said in a statement.

“Scammers are persistent, persuasive and sometimes aggressive,” the OPP added.

The OPP provides the following advice:

• An investigation of these “contractors” often reveals that they do not have an official online presence, are not registered with local chambers of commerce, the Better Business Bureau, or similar reputable organizations.

• Fraudsters often contact individuals in person at their homes or over the phone, using persuasive tactics to convince homeowners of the need for a contract or service they did not request or require. Caution should be exercised when opening the door to unexpected visitors or solicitors offering goods or services.

• Scammers use professionally designed pages and legitimate-looking websites.

• Most contractors know how much material they need for a job, so be careful if they come to your door saying they have “leftovers” from another job.

• Unless there is a written contract with a pre-written quote and the price changes due to “unforeseen issues” in the work environment, you are at their mercy.

• Scammers target vulnerable groups such as the elderly and ask for cash payments for “today only” deals.

• This is a red flag when payment is requested in advance before the work is completed.