NORWICH – Norwich Police are warning residents to be on the lookout for potential driveway sealing and home repair scams.
“Each year with warm weather, we receive reports of larceny by way of fraudulent driveway sealing,” said Norwich Police Chief Joseph Angelino.
These types of scams may start with a knock on the door and someone offering to seal your black top driveway with materials left over from a “big job nearby,” explained Angelino. However in many previous instances, the material used for the work was sub-standard materials or even just motor oil.
Police are reminding residents they should always check references prior to agreeing to any work. Another door to door scam involves offers to have your gutters cleaned and house washed.
“The area has plenty of reputable contractors that do this type work found in the yellow pages. Most reputable contractors will have their name and telephone number prominently displayed on their vehicles,” said Angelino.
Police said another tactic was for contractors to require up front cash to buy the materials, but they never return to do any work.
“Unfortunately, the most likely target is the elderly. The best rule of thumb is to have work done is to call and get a quote and references, not to have someone come to your door offering service. If they are going door to door, they need to have a peddler’s permit. If in doubt, call the police,” said Angelino.
The Norwich Police can be reached at 334-1212.
The Norwich Police offers the following tips to residents:
1). Steer clear of drive-by repairmen. The most notorious scam artists in home repair frauds are those repairman who cruise neighborhoods and sell their services at your front door. When that happens, the first thing you should do is to check to see if they are driving a vehicle with out of state license plates. If they are, then you can be sure you are talking to a fly-by-night operator. The license plate check is especially important to prevent the most common ploy: an offer to seal coat your driveway or clean your gutters at bargain prices.  A traveling asphalt paving crew may notice your driveway and offer you a low-price to revitalize it.  Using a little common sense can help prevent a lot of problems in the future.
2). Another way to spot a possible scam is an offer to do the work without a written contract.  Without a contract, the original low estimated price may grow to hundreds or even thousands of dollars once the work is completed.  The crews will also usually insist on cash as payment, but if they do accept a check they will cash it immediately at the nearest bank.
3). It is up to YOU the consumer to protect yourselves from these scam artists.  Even though you may be eager to have your work done, make sure the work is completed on your terms. Ask the contractor for references and check them before you allow any work to begin.
4). Take the contractor’s written estimate and tell them you will re-contact them. Also, get bids from local established companies and compare prices. If you agree to the written contract advise the contractor you will pay them 50% at the beginning of the project and 50% once the job is completed as written in your contract.