The shocking incident began when a group of men knocked on the woman’s door, claiming they had leftover asphalt from another project nearby. They offered to repave her driveway “at a big discount,” insisting it would only take a few hours. Tempted by the offer, she agreed — but what followed was a classic paving scam.
The so-called workers quickly poured thin layers of asphalt that began crumbling almost immediately. Before the job was even finished, they demanded thousands of dollars more, claiming the cost of materials had “unexpectedly increased.” When the woman refused, the tone of the men changed — and the threats began.
According to police reports, the scammers demanded $28,000 and warned her that they’d “come back” if she didn’t pay. Fearing for her safety, the woman contacted authorities, who later confirmed that the crew was part of a traveling paving operation known for preying on unsuspecting homeowners.
“I’m not paying!” the woman told reporters. “They tried to intimidate me, but I knew something wasn’t right from the start. The work was terrible — it started cracking within hours. I just want to warn others so no one else falls for this.”
Local officials have since issued a warning to residents, urging them to be cautious when approached by unlicensed workers offering “discounted” home repair services. “These groups often move from town to town,” said Albany Police Chief David Reynolds. “They look for vulnerable homeowners, often the elderly, and pressure them into overpaying for poor or unfinished work.”
Experts recommend always verifying a contractor’s license, asking for written estimates, and never paying in cash upfront. “If someone shows up at your door claiming to have leftover materials, it’s almost always a scam,” said consumer protection advocate Rachel Greene. “Legitimate companies don’t operate that way.”
The incident has sparked outrage in the community, with many residents calling for harsher penalties for traveling contractor scams. Several witnesses have since come forward, saying they were approached by similar crews claiming to work for “local paving companies.”
Authorities are now investigating the group behind the scheme, which may be linked to similar fraud cases across multiple states.
The woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, says she’s relieved to be safe and hopes her story will serve as a warning. “They picked the wrong person this time,” she said. “I’m not scared of them — I just don’t want anyone else to be tricked like I was.”
🚨 Police are reminding homeowners: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Always check credentials, get written contracts, and call local authorities if someone pressures you for money.
