06/05/2026
Be careful everyone!
Sheriff Arteta wants to inform residents about a rising scam reported in Orange County.
The traveling or unlicensed contractor scam is a widespread home improvement fraud. In this scheme, corrupt crews go door-to-door, offering cheap, unsolicited driveway paving or sealing services. Their goal is to trick victims into paying inflated prices for substandard work that quickly deteriorates.
One common variation is the "asphalt millings" scam. Scammers knock on doors and claim they have leftover materials from a nearby job. They use cheap asphalt millings, lay them improperly without a proper base, and then demand cash payments.
Typically, these scammers insist on full cash payment upfront, which is not standard practice for legitimate paving companies. Most reputable companies will request a deposit and may require a half-payment, but they should never demand full cash payment before starting the job.
While not all door-to-door solicitors are scams, there are some red flags to watch out for:
- They create a sense of urgency, insisting everything needs to be done immediately.
- They lack a business name or business cards.
- They refuse to provide an estimate in writing.
- They avoid introducing themselves with both their first and last names.
- They do not provide a callback phone number or email address.
- They ask personal questions, such as who is home and how many people live there (e.g., "Is your husband home?").
If you or someone you know has fallen victim to a similar scam, please notify the Orange County Sheriff's Office Investigations Bureau at 845-862-4033
