NEW LONDON, WI (WTAQ) – Wisconsin consumer protection officials are warning residents in the Fox Valley area after a report of an asphalt crew scam.
The report came from the New London area Friday that suspicious crews were around. One person wrote a check for $4,000 for resurfacing of their driveway, but was later told by a local contractor that the work could’ve been done for $1,500.
State officials say a neighbor paid the crew in cash.
According to a news release, the crews’ vehicles have out-of-state license plates and their business cards list out-of-state addresses. They show up unannounced at homes and businesses, claiming to have leftover materials from a previous job and offer to blacktop a driveway for a cheap price.
The crew does the job quickly and poorly and then overcharges the driveway’s owner, officials say. In some cases, the workers only apply a base coat and never add the promised top coat that was paid for.
State officials say these types of crews are always on the go, and generally don’t stay in one area for too long.
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection recommends those who want their driveway resurfaced contact local trusted contractors, get multiple bids and never pay the full price of a project upfront.
