Door-to-door driveway paving and roofing crews
A crew "working in the area" offers a cheap paving or roofing job, takes a deposit, then disappears or leaves poor work.
How it works
This one returns to Durham neighbourhoods every spring and summer. The pitch is leftover asphalt from a nearby job and a price that is only good today. Pressure to decide on the spot is the tell. Some victims pay large deposits and never see the crew again; others get a thin layer of asphalt that crumbles within months. The OPP warns these operations sometimes exploit vulnerable workers as well.
The tell: "Leftover asphalt" and a price that is only good today. Pressure to decide on the spot is the whole tell.
What to do
- Never agree to work or hand over money at the door. A real company will give you a written quote and time to decide.
- Get references and check reviews before hiring any contractor.
- Pay in stages, never a large amount up front.
Sources
If this has already happened to you, our scam recovery visit can lock down your accounts and devices. And if you are just not sure whether something is a scam, asking us is always free.