North Saanich, British Columbia · December 2023
He agreed to about $2,000 of paving. The bill was $14,000.
Paid nothing
Jim, 83, was rushing out to choir practice when two men knocked. They said they were brothers, worked for a paving company, and had material left over from another job. He agreed to a price per square foot for a small part of his driveway.
“I may have committed myself to as much as $2,000 here.”
When he came home, they had paved the entire driveway, poorly, and wanted $14,000. When he hesitated, they said they would take $10,000, and told him to get a bank draft. One of them followed him to the bank in a truck.
On the way, he began to question it. He told the teller, and she told him not to go through with it. The company named on the trucks said later it had never worked in the province.
CBC News, 29 December 2023. “Vancouver Island man speaks out after suspected paving scam leaves Ontario company caught in crossfire”
Step by step, and what stops each one
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Stage 01
Two men at the door, with a good deal on paving.
What stops it here
A deal that only works today, on your doorstep, is the pitch. Tell them you need time, and close the door.
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Stage 03
Brothers, a company name and logos on the trucks.
What stops it here
A name on a truck can be borrowed, and here it was. Find the company’s number on your own and ask whether these men work for it.
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Stage 04
A small job agreed, then the entire driveway done, and $14,000.
What stops it here
Get the price in writing before work starts. A job that grows while you are out is a bill you never agreed to.
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It stopped here
Stage 05
A bank draft for $10,000, with one of them following him.
The teller heard the whole story and advised against paying.
What stops it here
Tell the teller who is waiting outside and why. That is how this one ended.