Copyright ©2005 Tucson Asphalt Contractors, Inc.

CONSUMER ALERT

BEWARE OF WINTER GYPSY DOOR TO DOOR ASPHALT PAVERS

Homeowners are urged not to hire anyone soliciting door to door.  Watch out for SHINNY LITTLE TRUCKS WITH OUT OF STATE PLATES, GOING DOOR TO DOOR. WATCH FOR MAGNETIC SIGNS & TOLL FREE PHONE NUMBERS.  Some of these so-called pavers use names of legitimate, existing companies from other states, offering "good deals" on left-over asphalt to unsuspecting residents.

The Arizona Registrar of Contractors cannot, or will not stop this annual fraud, SO IF YOU HAVE BEEN SCAMMED IT’S PROBABLY TOO LATE, to protect yourself.  Hire a local contractor and check with the Registrar of Contractors to ensure that the individual is an Arizona-licensed contractor.

IN TUCSON CALL THE REGISTRAR AT  (520) 628-6345

Particularly common in the winter months, fraudulent paving performed by unscrupulous people is reported in Arizona each year. THESE GUYS MAKE CARNIES LOOK HONEST, PROTECT YOUR CHILDREN!

Many of these disreputable individuals, some known as "travelers," systematically go through neighborhoods and offer repairs, such as driveway paving.  Unsuspecting homeowners often pay in full for poor quality work, or no work at all, while the scam artist is nowhere to be found.  Senior citizens often are more likely to be targeted in these types of activities and should be very careful when approached over the telephone or door to door for home improvement services.

Anyone who performs residential or commercial construction, remodeling or repair work, must have a contractor license if the job costs $750 or more in materials, labor and other costs or if a building permit is required.  Consumers should check with the ROC to make sure the person they hire is properly licensed.  The ROC offers the following advice to ensure that homeowners do not fall victim to a construction or home-repair scam:

Hire only licensed contractors - Check a license with the ROC before hiring a contractor for a project or home repair by calling 602-542-1525 or toll-free statewide outside Maricopa County at 1-888-271-9286 or visit www.azroc.gov.

Get a written contract, and do not sign it until you completely understand the terms. 

DO NOT PAY CASH         DO NOT PAY A DOWN PAYMENT

Remember that most legitimate contractors do not:

• Go door to door soliciting new business.

• Require the customer to pay cash.

• Require that customers accept left-over material from another job.

• Tell customers that they have to pay in full or pay up front.

• Have out of state plates and shinny trucks.

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