Calgary police are warning the public about a scam involving paving contractors. Police say contractors are approaching homes and businesses saying they just finished another paving job in the area. They offer to pave the customer’s property with free leftover material and only charge for labour costs. Homeowners or business owners are presented a contract featuring blank spaces for the cost of per square foot of the area covered by the project. After the customer signs the unfinished contract, the contractor paves a large area with a thin layer of poor-quality asphalt, and then fills in the square footage and price on the already-signed contract. In a number of instances, contractors have tried to intimidate customers into paying immediately, often providing false addresses and contact information. Police advise customers to research companies through the Better Business Bureau Consumer Investigations Unit and to read customer reviews before signing up for any paving offers. Police say the public should contact them if a contractor makes a threat against any person’s safety. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 403-266-1234. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, online or by downloading the P3 Tips app.
