Driveway paving scammers reported in Waterloo Region
As warm weather arrives, there are renewed warnings about driveway paving scammers around Waterloo Region.
Cambridge resident Samantha Falkiner said she experienced a scammer first-hand on Friday afternoon. It was around 1:30 p.m. when there was a knock on her front door.
“He said, ‘Are you looking to get your driveway done?’ And I said, ‘No, I’m not.’ He said, ‘But it’s a special deal today if you wanted to sign up. We do a great job,’” she explained.
“I said, ‘Absolutely not. No thank you.’”
Falkiner said she saw a second man on the other side of her street, knocking on her neighbours’ doors. Immediately, she said the situation felt “off.”
“He was in a perfectly clean, high vis vest; perfectly clean khakis and boots,” she said.
“When they’re saying that they’re an asphalt company and they’re perfectly clean, my gut was just telling me what I’m seeing does not match what they’re saying.”
Company did not exist
The man left a business card with her and she did some digging.
“I looked up all the information online and none of it was legit,” Falkiner said.
“The address was an on-ramp to the 401, the company did not exist. It did not have a website. It was not registered with the Better Business Bureau.”
She called Waterloo regional police to report the situation.
In an emailed statement to CTV News, WRPS said their investigation remains ongoing.
“Two males attended the complainant’s neighbourhood, attempting to sell driveway paving. The males told her the offer was only available for today’s date and provided a fake business card,” WRPS said.
How to avoid falling victim to scammers
Police also said their General Investigations Unit has received recent calls about unsolicited driveway paving, concrete and foundation scams.
Their main pieces of advice to avoid falling victim to the scams are to always research a company online and ask for their references, do not pay in cash, request details, invoices and estimates in paper, and compare costs with other businesses.
The owner of O’Brien Paving, a local company with more than 45 years of experience, said they hear about driveway paving scams every year.
Graeme O’Brien said the fraudsters are typically from out of town.
“[Scammers] will try to get jobs as quickly as possible and then move on before police can catch up with them,” he said.
“The main thing is they’re just doing things absolutely as cheaply as possible, or if they can get a deposit, they just run off.”
He said homeowners should always do research before paying anything.
“If they’re just coming to your door, they may not be a valid company,” O’Brien said.
“The best thing to do is get a written quote and actually see their letterhead, then search for them on the various directories, on Google or Bing, and make sure that they’re actually a legitimate company in the area. Companies don’t travel 100 km to do a single driveway or anything like that. And we generally order the right amount of asphalt for a job, not have a little bit left over to finish up the next job.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Feels like mid-30s in parts of Canada, while other areas expecting snow
Anything is possible this week, as far as Canada's weather is concerned, with forecasts ranging from scorching heat in some parts of the country to rain and snow in others.
BREAKING Canada's inflation cools to 3-year low of 2.7%, in boost for rate cut bets
Canada's annual inflation rate slowed to a three-year low of 2.7 per cent in April, matching expectations, and core measures continued to ease, data showed on Tuesday, likely boosting chances of a June interest rate cut.
Passenger killed, 30 injured as Singapore Airlines flight hits severe turbulence
One passenger was killed and 30 injured after a Singapore Airlines SIAL.SI flight from London hit severe turbulence en route on Tuesday, forcing it to make an emergency landing in Bangkok, officials and the airline said.
Independent stores and grocery alternatives see sales boost amid Loblaw boycott
As the month-long boycott of Loblaw-owned stores wears on, small independent food retailers and alternative grocery options say they're seeing a boost in traffic and sales.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.
4 Indian nationals accused of killing B.C. Sikh activist to appear in court Tuesday
Four Indian nationals accused in the murder of British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar are all due in court Tuesday.
How to check the Air Quality Health Index and assess your health risks
As we enter another wildfire season, Environment and Climate Change Canada is advising people to pay attention to air pollution levels and check the Air Quality Health Index – especially on smoky days.
Cardinal Lacroix cleared after investigation ordered by the Pope
The Vatican has announced that the investigation it commissioned into allegations of sexual touching against Cardinal Gerald Cyprien Lacroix did not confirm any act constituting misconduct or abuse on the part of the Vatican.
Trudeau making 'Team Canada' pitch in visit to Philadelphia
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in Philadelphia today, on his first trip south of the border since his government launched a new 'Team Canada' charm offensive in the United States.