HERKIMER -- The State Police in Herkimer are conducting an investigation whereby three men approached a woman on March 3, 2009, at her residence located in the Town of Herkimer offering to do driveway repair work. The men entered the woman's home and offered to patch holes in her driveway. The men stated that the cost of the job would be charged according to the number of pounds of product used.
The Complainant, who is a senior citizen, felt uncomfortable by the presence of these men in her home, and asked them to leave her with their phone number so she could call them back. At this time, the woman saw one of the men was already working in the driveway. The men patched three small holes and advised that they would return to pave the driveway at a later date.
One of the men sat down at the Complainant's desk and wrote a bill on a piece of paper charging several thousand dollars. The man told the Complainant that if she didn't have cash on hand, she would have to go to her bank, cash a personal check, and meet them outside the bank with the money. The Complainant was afraid of what the men might do to her if she didn't do what they told her, so she complied and went to her bank where she withdrew the money for the men.
On March 31, 2009, Moravia Police Department also investigated a similar incident, where an elderly woman was approached by two men at her residence, and was talked into having her driveway sealed. These men told the Victim that they would only accept cash and that she would have to go to her bank and withdraw the money by cashing a personal check. The woman also felt pressured by these men and complied with their request. The men met the Complainant outside the bank where she gave them the money.
These two incidents serve as a reminder to the public not to be victimized by this type of scam. This type of scam is often conducted by traveling groups from outside the local area. Should someone come to your home offering to repair your driveway and pressuring you to make payment for work you have not authorized, contact the police immediately and report the suspicious activity.
Click the link below to see another NBC3/WSTM story about home improvement scams.
