Police warn of unlicensed repairmen

Authorities are warning of unlicensed repairmen coming into the city after they say an Orangeburg resident was taken in a driveway scam.

Police on patrol Wednesday noticed a pair of workers at a Perryclear Road residence doing what looked like paint work to the driveway. Officers remembered workers were at the same residence last week, the report says.

Officers asked the two North Augusta men what they were doing. The men said they were repairing the seniors driveway. They admitted they had been out the previous week to do the same job. When officers asked for their business license, they had none.

The men said they charged $120 to seal the driveway each time. The homeowner couldnt remember how much they charged, the report states. They went on to say they were looking for paving work, but officers noted their equipment was a sprayer and a five gallon bucket of metal roof sealant.

The men were cited for having no business license. When they were found to have no drivers license, their 2013 Dodge truck was towed. They were also placed on no trespassing notice.

Theyve been in Orangeburg before and police say they may be back again.

Orangeburg Department of Public Safety Capt. Ed Conner said the majority of genuine repair service businesses will not go door to door. But should anyone have such a visit, there are precautions that can be taken.

As a resident, they have the right to ask for their business permit and solicitation permit, Conner said. Any legitimate business will have both of these.

To operate in the city of Orangeburg, a business permit is required. To go door to door, a solicitation permit is required.

Authorities say the majority of the traveling scammers use fake repair services such as roof repair with shoddy or even no materials used, thinned-down paint and driveway scams.

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Police warn of unlicensed repairmen