Reports of paving scam occurring in Boulder County

Boulder County Sheriff's Office asks residents to be aware and report suspicious activity

Boulder County, Colo. - The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office has received multiple reports of driveway paving scams occurring in our area. The scams often go something like this: There is a vehicle that pulls onto your property and honks, the person says they have leftover asphalt from another job and can give you a really good deal today. They end up only putting down a paper thin amount of asphalt or recycled asphalt they will give you an "invoice" for significantly more money than the original quote and then demand payment.

Here are things to be wary of when hiring a contractor:

• Selling door-to-door: Reputable contractors usually don't sell door-to-door. Be sure to check out the company before you agree to hire them through resources like the Better Business Bureau.
• Claiming they have leftover materials from another job: Professional contractors will know, with great accuracy, how much material is needed to complete a project. Rarely will they have leftover material.
• Deals that seem to be good to be true: If the quoted price seems very low, chances are the quality of the work will also be quite low. Or they will significantly increase the price after the work is done.
• Push you to make a quick decision: Reputable contractors will provide a written estimate that will be valid for weeks or months. Be cautious of "today only" deals.
• No contract offered: Insist upon a written contract specifying in detail, the work to be performed, and the agreed upon price.
• Unmarked truck: Often the trucks they travel in are unmarked, have peel off decals, or have out-of-state license plates.
• If you come into contact with someone possibly perpetrating a scam:
• Call the Boulder County dispatch at 303-441-4444 as soon as possible.
• Get information about the person(s) if you are able to safely do so (license plate, vehicle description, physical description of the person, business card, etc.).
• Write down the details of what was promised and what was delivered.
• If you did give them payment via a check, contact your bank to cancel the check.

If you have had recent contact with someone you believe to be involved in a paving scam, or if you are a victim of the scam, please contact Detective Dillard, with the Boulder County Sheriff's Office, at 303-441-4992.