Police in Sault Ste. Marie have received reports of paving fraudsters offering their ‘services’ in the city. Homeowners are approached and offered a discounted price to pave or resurface a driveway, with fraudsters claiming they need to use up leftover materials from a nearby job, police said in a news release Oct 3. “Fraudulent contractors may appear legitimate by using professional-looking websites, contracts, invoices, and advertising materials, so homeowners should independently verify businesses before agreeing to any work or making payments,” police said. “Homeowners are pressured to decide immediately and pay upfront.” Some of the red flags police said homeowners should be aware of include unsolicited offers, requests for large upfront or cash payments and pressure to agree to the work immediately. Police advise homeowners to do their research and get quotes from reputable companies, ask for a written quote and contract before agreeing to any work and never feel pressured to work offered at your door. You can report the incident to police or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre for further support and resources.
