Homeowners end up with shoddy pavement — or nothing at all — to show for what they paid and, in some cases, have lost more than $8,000. 

The scam begins when a contractor leaves a pamphlet or shows up at the door. They claim they’ve been doing work in the area and just happened to notice the condition of a driveway or sidewalk. Since they’re already working nearby, they offer a discount. If the price is agreeable, they will ask for a large percentage of the fee upfront.

Once the transaction is complete, the scam contractor may disappear altogether. The contact number or email may not work, quickly helping you realize the contact information was a sham. If you protest, the contractor may use intimidation tactics, such as threatening a lawsuit, to convince you to pay

In other cases, the contractor’s work is shoddy and unprofessional once complete, but the full payment has been made. Reaching the company the contractor allegedly represented is impossible. In any of these scenarios, the chances of getting a refund or the work fixed are slim.