Driveway paving scams on upswing

The Levy County Sheriff's Office says there is a rise in driveway paving scams in Levy County, according to a press release.

These scams have been focusing on the elderly and people on a limited or fixed income. The persons come in and inform the victim that “we have a deal for you.” They tell the homeowner that they have “just enough asphalt left over from another job.”

"These con artists are normally very polite and persuasive," according to the press release. "There have been occasions when they even use pressure tactics and threats of intimidation. However, after the work is done and the driveway is paved the con artists demand a lot more money than was originally quoted. The asphalt used during the project is often low quality and their finished work product is questionable."
The Sheriff's Office offers these tips for dealing with such situations:
• Never be pressured into something. If it does not feel right, trust your gut feelings and say no.
• You pick the contractor; do not let them pick you.
• Pay by check, never give cash.
• Only give 10-15 percent of job cost upfront.
• Remember, if it sounds to good to be true it probably is.