OPP warn: beware of paving scam

Meaford Express

Grey County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) wish to take this opportunity to remind residents to be cautious and to use good judgment when someone comes to their door with an offer to provide a service for a fee which seems "too good to be true", after a West Grey resident was defrauded of $6,000 in a paving scam.

Recently, an unknown male attended the victim's residence offering to pave his driveway with recycled asphalt for $800. The victim agreed, and that day, two dump trucks full of old paving asphalt pieces were brought in, spread, and rolled by three other unknown males. After a few hours, when the work was done, the victim was asked to pay $8,000. The victim objected, stating the cost quoted to him was $800; not $8,000. The suspect told the victim that his brother would come to speak with him about the matter. Another unknown male arrived and, eventually, the victim reluctantly wrote him a cheque for $6,000 just to get the males to leave.

Remember - if someone comes to your door, ask to see some identification. You do not have to let them in, and they must leave if you ask them to do so.

Before you decide to pay any money, if you are interested in what a sales or service person has to officer, take the time to find out about their business and their offer. Don't be pressured!

If you think you have spotted a scam or have been targeted by a scam, there are a number of government and law enforcement agencies that you can contact for advice or to make a report.

* Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, http://www.antifraudcentre.ca

* The Competition Bureau's Information Centre, http://www.competitionbureau.gc.ca

* Office of Consumer Affairs, http://www.consumerhandbook.ca

* Canadian Council of Better Business Bureaus, http://www.ccbbb.ca

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OPP warn: beware of paving scam