Asphalt Paving Scams
Beware of door-to-door solicitors who offer to pave or repair driveways and sidewalks at a substantially lower price than you would generally expect a professional to charge. In cases of scams, solicitors ask homeowners to pay up-front, and either do substandard work or no work at all.
In many reported scams, solicitors arrive unannounced, and aggressively offer a "special discount" due to what they claim is leftover asphalt from another job nearby. Scammers often drive trucks with out-of-state license plates and without company signage on the vehicle.
Trust your instincts. If you have concerns about a solicitation or feel threatened by a solicitor, turn them away. Write down a description of the vehicle and driver--and license plate information, if possible--and contact your local law enforcement agency.
General Advice when Seeking Driveway or Sidewalk Repairs
- Obtain written estimates from multiple contractors and get in writing the terms of the contract.
- Seek referrals from people you know and trust.
- Ask to see licenses and permits, and ask the solicitor is bonded.
- Never pay in full until the work is completed, limit what you pay in advance, do not pay in cash, and get a receipt for your payment.
Contact
Phone
515-281-5926
888-777-4590 (outside of the Des Moines metro area)
Fax
515-281-6771
Office of the Attorney General of Iowa
Consumer Protection Division
Hoover State Office Building
1305 E. Walnut Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0106
