Delaware County Sheriff’s Office Warns of Fraudulent Paving Solicitations Posing as Tri-State Paving

The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office is alerting residents to a persistent and deceptive scam involving door-to-door solicitors who falsely claim affiliation with Tri-State Paving. These individuals are traveling through neighborhoods in Delaware County, offering discounted asphalt and paving services that sound too good to be true — and indeed they are.

Important Warning: These scammers are NOT affiliated with Tri-State Paving in any way. The legitimate company has no connection to these unsolicited offers.

How the Scam Typically Unfolds

This is a well-known scam pattern reported across multiple communities in recent years. Scammers often approach homeowners with a compelling story: they claim to have “leftover asphalt” or paving materials from a nearby large commercial or municipal job. They position this as a limited-time “special deal” that allows them to offer significantly reduced rates — sometimes 30-50% below market value — if the homeowner acts immediately.

Once the homeowner agrees:

•  The crew may perform minimal or rushed work.

•  The quality of materials and workmanship frequently falls far short of promises (thin asphalt layers, poor compaction, improper grading, or use of substandard materials that crack or deteriorate quickly).

•  Payment is demanded upfront or immediately upon “completion,” often in cash.

•  The crew disappears, leaving the homeowner with substandard results, costly repairs, and little to no recourse for refunds or fixes.

Victims frequently report that the scammers provide fake or unverifiable contact information, making follow-up impossible. In some cases, they may even damage existing driveways or surfaces during the botched job, compounding the financial loss.

Red Flags to Watch For

Delaware County residents should be especially vigilant when encountering any of the following:

•  Unsolicited door-to-door offers: Legitimate contractors rarely canvas neighborhoods this way without prior appointments.

•  “Leftover materials” pitch: This is a classic high-pressure tactic designed to create urgency and bypass normal due diligence.

•  High-pressure sales tactics: Insistence that you must decide today, claims that the deal is only available “right now,” or stories about needing to use the materials before they “go bad.”

•  Requests for immediate payment, especially cash: Reputable companies accept checks, credit cards, or scheduled payments and provide proper invoices and contracts.

•  Lack of proper identification or documentation: No business cards, no licensing information, no insurance proof, or vague company details.

•  No written estimates or contracts: Always insist on detailed written proposals before any work begins.

Prevention Tips and Best Practices

Protecting yourself from home improvement scams requires proactive steps. Here are comprehensive recommendations:

1.  Verify the Contractor: Contact Tri-State Paving directly through their official phone number or website to confirm any claims. For any contractor, check licensing, insurance, and bonding status through your state or local consumer protection agency.

2.  Research Thoroughly: Ask for references from recent local jobs and actually follow up with those references. Search online for reviews and complaints. In Ohio, you can check the Better Business Bureau or the Ohio Attorney General’s office for registered complaints.

3.  Get Everything in Writing: A legitimate estimate should include scope of work, materials specifications, timeline, total cost, payment schedule, and warranties. Never rely on verbal promises.

4.  Avoid Upfront Cash Payments: Reputable paving companies typically require a deposit but not full payment until completion and satisfaction. Consider using escrow services or credit cards for larger jobs to retain dispute rights.

5.  Trust Your Instincts: If something feels off — rushed timeline, overly aggressive salesmanship, or reluctance to provide documentation — walk away. There are many legitimate, licensed paving contractors in the area who will provide quality service without high-pressure tactics.

Edge Cases and Nuances: Even seemingly professional-looking crews with trucks and uniforms can be part of organized scams. Some scammers may partially complete the work to build false confidence before demanding more money. Others rotate through regions to avoid local law enforcement patterns. Seasonal factors (spring and summer paving season) often see spikes in these incidents.

What to Do If You’ve Been Contacted or Victimized

•  If you’ve been approached by these individuals, report it immediately to the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office. Provide descriptions, vehicle information, and any photos or contact details.

•  If you’ve already paid or had work done, document everything (photos of the work, contracts, payments) and file a report with the Sheriff’s Office as well as the Ohio Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.

•  Consult a consumer law attorney if significant losses are involved — some recovery may be possible through civil action or insurance claims, though success is not guaranteed.

The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office encourages community awareness: Please share this alert with neighbors, family, and local groups to help protect vulnerable residents, including seniors who are often prime targets for these scams.

Home improvement fraud remains one of the most common consumer complaints nationwide, with financial losses reaching millions annually. Staying informed and skeptical of unsolicited “deals” is the best defense. For official updates, contact the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office directly.

Stay safe and informed, Delaware County.