Report asphalt driveway scam to AG, FTC

Beware, of a bogus company that will drive down your driveway, tell you they have two extra loads of asphalt and will give you a “good” deal on it.

Once they get started they will hook you into doing the rest of your driveway. They don’t give you any written quote, they tell you that they will install a minimum of two inches thick of compacted asphalt, grade the driveway, and for a little extra they will seal the asphalt on top.

After the job they will say, “Oh, we only take cash or checks because we just changed our bank account and we’re not set-up for credit cards yet.” Reality, it isn’t two inches thick of compacted asphalt, there is little or no sealant used, it isn’t graded correctly. (Mine is graded very poorly, especially around house and garage, and in other areas there are lumps and humps going in various directions, definitely not graded correctly.)

The company will give you a “warranty” sheet stating a five- or seven-year warranty.

The reality is they will not come back to repair their subpar job, they rarely if ever return your phone calls, and if you have a legitimate company come out and review the job you’ll find it will cost you just as much to have the job repaired correctly.

A warranty is only as good as the company standing behind it. These guys stand behind nothing. As far as I’m concerned they’re a bunch of frauds and thieves. At least one of these phony asphalt companies has had complaints filed against them in California, Arizona, Wisconsin, eastern Washington, North Idaho, Montana and Texas.

I have personally filed a complaint with the IRS. I am awaiting the Federal Trade Commission form for me to file, I have contacted the FTC by phone and they took my verbal information down.

I have contacted the Idaho State Attorney General’s Office, they recommend that as many people as possible that have been hurt recently by a bogus asphalt company, file a complaint with the Idaho State Attorney General.

As they said, “The more complaints the better.” If you wish to add your complaint, please contact the Idaho State Attorney General’s Office at (208) 334-2400 or (208) 334-2424, Protection Fraud Division. For the Federal Trade Commission, call 1 (877) 382-4357 and/or go to their website, www.ftc.gov and fill out and submit their complaint form.

People, people, people, unless we stand up and let our governmental officials know of this ongoing problem, these thieves will keep getting away with ripping off honest, trusting folks.

MICHAEL HARMELIN

Sandpoint