The Putnam County Sheriff's Office detailed the scam in an announcement on Thursday, Oct. 17, saying that the suspects targeted a resident in Brewster.
According to authorities, two men approached a resident and claimed to be from a paving company that had leftover asphalt from a previous job. The duo arrived in a black, unmarked Ford F-150 pickup truck, a tactic scammers use to "appear professional and legitimate," the Sheriff's Office said.
Scammers will often claim to have extra materials to get victims to agree to subpar, overpriced, or unnecessary work, according to the Sheriff's Office.
Luckily, the resident was wary and turned down the offer and refused to engage more with the duo. They then left the area.
"Homeowners are advised to conduct thorough research, seek reputable contractors, and obtain multiple quotes before making home repairs or improvements," the Sheriff's Office said.
Anyone who encounters a similar scam can report it to the Sheriff's Office at 845-225-4300.
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