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BOONE COUNTY, MO. -- Scam artists are ripping off Boone County homeowners of thousands of dollars.

The Missouri Attorney General’s Office and the Boone County Sheriff’s Department are reporting several incidents of asphalting scams within the past week.

Scammers usually knock on your door and say they have some leftover asphalt from a nearby job.  They get your money up front by offering to asphalt your driveway at a reduced price.  They usually use substandard materials and leave before finishing the job.  A Boone County woman, who wants to remain anonymous, was swindled out of $2,300.

The scam victim said, “What they took more from me than money was my confidence in and honesty of people, especially professionals that you expect to do the right thing.  That, for me, is what they stole from me, was my sense of trust.”

The same asphalt scammers swindled the woman’s neighbor out of $11,000.  Witnesses said the suspects are driving new Dodge pick-up trucks, a dump truck and are hauling a steamroller.

Boone County Sheriff’s Investigators said their advice for avoiding asphalt scam artists is simple.  When someone comes to your home and offers any home improvement project that sounds too good to be true, slam the door in their face and call 911.
Boone County Sheriff’s Detective Tom O’Sullivan said, “They particularly target older people.  We can’t stress how important it is for people to be aware that these scammers are out there and to never, never, never make a home improvement decision on the spot like that, especially when it involves door to door solicitations.”

O’Sullivan said before agreeing to any extensive home improvement project, you should seek out bids from different companies before making any final decisions.

Authorities said you should always avoid any company which uses high pressure sales tactics such as demanding payment up front.