Frederick Ryan, Chief of Police
112 Mystic St.
Arlington, MA 02474
For Immediate Release
Thursday, April 27, 2017
Contact: Captain Richard Flynn, PIO
Office: 781-316-3907
Cell: 781-844-1224
Email: rflynn@town.arlington.ma.us
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
Arlington Police Warn Residents of Asphalt Scams After Woman Falls Victim
ARLINGTON — Chief Frederick Ryan and the Arlington Police Department are warning the community of asphalt scams after a resident lost thousands of dollars for a paving job.
“Unfortunately, we tend to see an increase in this type of fraudulent activity as the weather gets warmer and residents start projects on their homes and property,” Chief Ryan said. “Always do everything you can to make sure you’re hiring a reputable contractor with a proven track record in the community, and remember that if the deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Our rule of thumb is that if the thought crosses your mind that you think you need the police, you need the police, contact us right away. We’d rather be called and not needed rather than not called and needed.’
Some common characteristics of asphalt scams include:
- An individual who claims to be an asphalt contractor will go from house to house, knocking on doors, saying they have extra materials from another job.
- The scammer will generally try to pressure victims into the service and offer to do the work for an extremely low price, many times asking for the money up-front.
- After the work is completed, if it’s even completed at all, the scammer then demands more money from the victim — often hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the quoted price.
- The work completed in these situations is usually not of workmanship quality.
To avoid these types of scams:
- Always make sure the company you’re working with is legitimate and you are hiring a licensed contractor.
- Talk to a family member or friend to discuss the details before making any financial commitments or payments.
- Never pay in full for the work up-front. Always get a receipt for your payment and avoid paying cash if possible.
- Take your time and do research before hiring a contractor and use a company that has a good reputation.
Scams of all kinds are an important and ongoing issue in Arlington. Yesterday, Chief Ryan and Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan spoke at the Arlington Retired Men’s Club meeting about scam prevention.
If you think you may have fallen victim to this or any type of scam, contact Arlington Police at 781-643-1212.
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