With warmer temperatures come opportunities for scams of which Menomonee Falls residents should be aware. One of the more prevalent is the Paving Scam.
The typical scam involves an unsolicited visit by a small crew engaged in driveway resurfacing. They might offer a well-below market cost for sealing your asphalt driveway or repairing cracks in a concrete drive, then provide inferior work or demand a higher fee once the work is done. Some of the “red flags” to look for that indicate a possible scam are:
-An unsolicited visit.
The crew was “just in the area” and “has materials left over from a larger job.”
-You are pushed to make a quick decision.
You are pressured to make a decision before losing out of this great deal.
-You are required to pay up front to get the low price.
Your first recourse for shoddy work is to withhold payment.
-Only cash is accepted.
Legitimate businesses don’t require cash payments.
-The sides of the vehicle(s) being used by the crew have no company logos, insignia or contact information, or it’s affixed with a temporary or removable sign.
The crew and its vehicles look unprofessional, poorly organized and unkept.
-The company is from out of state.
Vehicles have out of state license plates or the crew claims to be from out of state.
If you are solicited by a paving crew of which you are suspicious, firmly advise the crew that you are not interested, and call the Menomonee Falls Police Department immediately to report the suspicious behavior. Be prepared to describe their vehicles and last known direction of travel. These crews leave the area quickly, and your call may prevent a neighbor form falling prey.