Olds RCMP have issued a warning to property owners about fraudulent asphalt-paving contractors offering discount driveway and parking lot services, then disappearing after collecting payment.
The advisory, distributed by the Town of Olds on behalf of the detachment, states that "past incidents have involved illegitimate, out-of-town companies operating in smaller towns and rural residences." According to the release, contractors often claim to have leftover materials from previous jobs and offer reduced rates.
"These companies may use business names that suggest they are affiliated with a government road maintenance department and typically provide false addresses or contact information," the Olds RCMP stated.
RCMP said the companies often provided fictitious addresses or disconnected phone numbers.
"Victims are left unable to contact the scammers and face expensive asphalt repairs."
Olds RCMP warnings echo other detachment warnings
RCMP detachments in Hinton and St. Albert issued separate warnings earlier this spring. In an April 28 release, Hinton RCMP said they had received "an increased number of complaints" from residents about out-of-town paving crews claiming to be legitimate contractors. According to that release, some residents paid up front for services and either received poor-quality work or were asked to pay more than originally quoted. Police said the contractors then left town before the fraud was discovered.
Hinton RCMP stated that the paving crews sometimes offered roof-sealing services, provided little identifying information, and "utilize non-descript vehicles rarely bearing commercial logos." According to that detachment, the material applied in some cases was "cold, recycled asphalt or a gravel and oil mixture with no lasting properties."
St. Albert RCMP issued a May 16 release warning that a paving scam had "surfaced in the area, but also in other parts of the province." Police said crews were going door-to-door using different business names and offering to pave driveways at low rates. In most cases, residents paid up front and received sub-standard work, or were asked for additional money after the work had started. Some jobs were never completed.
St. Albert RCMP stated that "the resident may be asked to pay more than the quote provided to complete the job."
According to the May 16 statement, "these companies will not provide the resident details about their identity and their vehicles may or may not bear commercial company logos." The release also noted: "Some of the companies do have legitimate logos, but often are magnetic and can easily be removed or swapped out for a different company name."
St. Albert RCMP said some contractors pressured residents into fast decisions or refused to take no for an answer.
Olds RCMP included several recommendations in their May 26 advisory to help property owners avoid being scammed:
Residents are advised to ask contractors for names of previous customers and verify that those customers were satisfied with the work. The release also recommends researching companies through the Better Business Bureau in Alberta, the Consumer Investigations Unit, Rural Crime Watch groups, or on social media.
Police said any written quote should include "the full business name, address, phone number, GST number, as well as provincial and municipal license numbers, if applicable." The Olds detachment warned residents to be skeptical of contractors who decline to provide this information.
According to the May 26 advisory, quotes should also specify "the quantity and quality of materials being offered." RCMP recommended seeking additional estimates from other companies for price and service comparison.
"Do not agree to a contract if you feel pressured or if the contractor refuses to take 'no' for an answer," the release stated.
In a final warning, Olds RCMP wrote: "Be leery of unsolicited offers. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!"
Anyone who believes they have encountered a paving scam is asked to contact their local RCMP detachment at 310-RCMP (7267) or file a report with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
Sign up to get the latest local news headlines delivered directly to your inbox every afternoon.
Send your news tips, story ideas, pictures, and videos to news@discoverairdrie.com. You can also message and follow us on Twitter: @AIR1061FM.
DiscoverAirdrie encourages you to get your news directly from your trusted source by bookmarking this page and downloading the DiscoverAirdrie app.