(NORFOLK COUNTY, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Norfolk County Detachment is urging residents to be cautious and to use good judgement when someone comes to their door with an offer to provide a service for a fee which seems “too good to be trueâ€, after a Norfolk County resident paid $4,000 to have their driveway paved.
Recently, an unknown male attended the victim’s residence offering to pave their driveway with recycled asphalt for $4,000 dollars. The victim agreed, and that day, two trucks full of old paving asphalt pieces were brought in, spread, and rolled.
The homeowner noticed that the asphalt was of poor quality and was falling apart.
The Norfolk County OPP would like all residents to be very skeptical is an unknown person arrives at your door stating that they were in your neighbourhood completing other driveways and offering asphalt at a discounted price.
Remember – if someone comes to your door, ask to see some identification. You do not have to let them in, and they must leave if you ask them to do so.
Before you decide to pay any money, if you are interested in what a sales or service person has to officer, take the time to find out about their business and their offer. Don’t be pressured! Be prepared to ask for the peddler’s permits and identification that identifies the person and the company offering the services.
If you think you have spotted a scam or have been targeted by a scam, there are a number of government and law enforcement agencies that you can contact for advice or to make a report.
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, www.antifraudcentre.ca
The Competition Bureau’s Information Centre, www.competitionbureau.gc.ca
Office of Consumer Affairs, www.consumerhandbook.ca
Canadian Council of Better Business Bureaus, www.ccbbb.ca
Canada Revenue Agency, www.cra-arc.gc.ca