UPDATE: Possible driveway repair fraud ongoing

The Thunder Bay Police Service have learned of more reports of an ongoing potential scam involving a so-called driveway repair crew.

These incidents are currently under investigation. But due to the additional reports, the police would like to urge residents not to enter into any agreement for driveway repairs or paving without a written agreement. Cash and a handshake are strongly discouraged, and will not protect you from being the victim of fraud.

Further, if an offer seems too good to be true, there’s a good chance that it is.

A previously-issued media release with more details about the incidents being investigated is being attached below for further context.

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BUYER BEWARE: Homeowners concerned about suspicious driveway repair crew

The Thunder Bay Police Service would like the public to be aware of incidents of possible aggressive, and potentially fraudulent, sales tactics being used by unknown males doing driveway repair work.

In one such incident, an elderly male made a purchase of more than $30,000 in repair services, and was being intimated to provide in excess of $100,000 before concerned family members were able to intervene.

Police learned the victim was visited by two unidentified males in the late morning hours of Monday, Aug. 14. The unknown males offered to patch the asphalt driveway of the victim. The males accompanied the elderly victim to the bank where more than $30,000 CAD was provided for the patch work.

Instead of doing the agreed upon patch work, the unknown males had done additional asphalt work and demanded the elderly male pay more than $100,000. It is suspected the males were attempting to take advantage of the elderly male, who had difficulties hearing and articulating himself.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Police would like to remind the public that they have the right to close their door or hang up their phone when contacted by unsolicited salespeople. If you believe the service provider may have been legitimate, seek out their contact information independently and make contact on their terms.

Never use contact information provided by a suspected fraudster, and remember that call display can be spoofed.

Learn more about ongoing scams and frauds, and how you can protect yourself, by visiting the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online at: https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm