Homeowners should be aware of rise in driveway-paving scams

Montgomery County's Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) is warning residents about a rise in driveway paving scams after receiving multiple reports recently from homeowners. These scams involve unlicensed workers offering low-cost paving or resurfacing services, often resulting in poor-quality work, unfinished jobs or unexpected payments. Homeowners should be aware and take appropriate steps to avoid falling victim to the scams.

“It’s incredibly frustrating to see these kinds of scams resurface again and again, especially when they target people right at their front doors,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “No one should have to deal with intimidation, deception or shoddy work from people pretending to be legitimate businesses. I appreciate the work of our Office of Consumer Protection and police in responding quickly and preventing more residents from being harmed. We want people to know the warning signs and to call us right away if something doesn’t feel right.”

OCP says these scams are not only deceptive but can also lead to serious financial loss for residents. It is urging residents to report these encounters early so investigators can intervene.

“These unlicensed contractors and their crews are going door-to-door, pressuring homeowners with various tactics. These include repeated visits, claiming that other neighbors are having work done by them, and often lowering the offered price of the work for cash payment,” said OCP Investigator Lee Glass. “The work performed is typically substandard, does not conform to the agreed-upon work and may have been started without the homeowner's permission. Over the last two months, we have seen a rise in these cases. Our goal is to educate the public so that they can better protect themselves from these scammers."

Working closely with the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD), OCP investigators are actively identifying and stopping these groups before they can defraud other residents. In a recent case, a resident contacted OCP after noticing suspicious activity in their neighborhood. OCP and MCPD responded quickly, and a pickup truck, a trailer and a small paving machine tied to the scam were found and impounded. It was later confirmed that the unlicensed group had paved more than a dozen driveways in the neighborhood. 

How the Scam Works:

Scammers often arrive in unmarked trucks and claim they’re working nearby with leftover materials. They offer driveway work at a discounted price and pressure homeowners to decide quickly. In many cases, they ask for upfront payments, raise prices mid-job or leave the work incomplete. The finished product, if completed, is often of low quality.

What Residents Should Know to Stay Protected:

• Do not hire someone who shows up unsolicited offering driveway work or other home repair services.
• Check for licenses. All home improvement contractors must be licensed with the Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC). You can look up licenses at https://www.labor.maryland.gov/license/mhic/.
• Ask for ID and business credentials. Legitimate businesses will display a license number on vehicles, contracts and promotional materials.
• Never pay in full upfront or agree to on-the-spot jobs without written contracts.
• Report suspicious activity immediately to OCP by calling 240-777-3636.

OCP encourages anyone who has been approached or affected by these paving crews to file a complaint, even if the work is done. Your report can help protect others.

The Office of Consumer Protection is located at 100 Maryland Avenue, Suite 3600, in Rockville. Walk-in hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information or to file a consumer complaint, call 240-777-3636 or visit the OCP website.