Consumer Alert

DOOR-TO-DOOR PAVING SCAM

The Consumer Protection Unit of the Alaska Attorney General's Office warns Alaskans of the existence of individuals or companies going door-to-door offering paving services that mislead consumers by violating the Door-To-Door Sales provision and the Unfair trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act.

The individuals claim that they are knocking because they have leftover materials and are able to pave driveways or sidewalks for a discounted rate. They cite a price that is attractive to homeowners without giving the required written notice under AS 45.02.350(a) that the homeowner consumer has a right to cancel any written or verbal contract without penalty for 5 (five) days.

The actual work done by the pavement scammers is shoddy and below all paving standards. Additionally, when the work is done, the pavement scammers tell the homeowner that the job cost twice as much or more than promised and negotiate with the homeowner for a higher price than quoted.

The pavement scammers represent that they are a local business, citing a local address (which is made up or a vacant lot), and sporting trucks with Alaska license plates. Homeowner consumers are tricked into thinking that the pavement scammers could be pursued if there are issues with the job. All of these practices are violations of the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act, AS 45.50.471.

The scammer pavers are in fact not Alaska residents and pursuing losses will be difficult to impossible. If someone knocks on the door offering services that are at a price that seems too good to be true, homeowners should demand written notice of the right to revoke within 5 (five) days accorded by Alaska law and should refrain from writing a check or providing payment for such services.

Complaints reporting pavement scammers, even if no monetary loss occurs, may be reported at the consumer protection consumer complaint website, http://law.alaska.gov/department/civil/consumer/cp_complaint.html.

If there are any questions, please contact the Consumer Protection Unit Staff at (907) 269-5200 or toll free (888) 576-252. The email contact is consumerprotection@alaska.gov.