Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Consumer Alert: Despite cold weather, paving scams continue

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Although winter has set in across Kansas, door-to-door paving scams are continuing to be seen throughout the state, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said today.

In the past three months, the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division has received complaints regarding door-to-door driveway paving scams from Cloud, Douglas, Jefferson, Marshall, Mitchell, Nemaha, Neosho, Osage, Ottawa, Republic, Saline, Shawnee and Stevens counties.

Typically, the scam involves the pavers claiming they have leftover asphalt from a recent job, and offering consumers a “good deal” to pave their driveways. Often, they do not disclose all of the charges, do not inform the consumers of their three-day right to cancel, perform substandard work – or do not complete the job at all.

Schmidt reminded consumers that when hiring contractors or construction workers, it is best to deal with reputable, local companies.

Schmidt asked that any Kansans who may have done business with a deceptive or fraudulent paving operation contact his Consumer Protection Division by calling 1-800-432-2310 or by filing a complaint online at www.InYourCornerKansas.org.