Sheriff’s Dept. advises residents to watch out for driveway scammers

Scammers are reportedly going around to homes in the area, performing a tar and chip driveway job, and then demanding extra money for the job. (WJEZ File Photo)

By Patrick Baron

LIVINGSTON CO – The Livingston County Sheriff’s Department is warning residents about scammers going around the county this summer.

Livingston County Sheriff Tony Childress says the scammers approach households and offer tar and chip driveway job. Upon completion, the individuals exponentially raise the price of their work. Childress said they will likely target the elderly.

“Be alert to this type of activity,” said Childress. “Also alert any elderly relatives [residents] may have to this kind of activity.”

Childress said the department received a description of two of the scammers. He also said there is a third individual that the department hasn’t gotten any information on.

“One is a black male, one is a white male, and they were possible driving two white pick-up trucks,” Childress said. “They also had one black pick-up truck, which obviously was driven by a third individual that we did not get a description on.”

The Livingston County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Earl Dutko said while the men may actually do the work, it becomes an issue when they start scamming and harassing the homeowners.

“The problem arises when they show up at an elderly person’s house specifically, and they’ll do that work and bid it for $700 and the next thing you know they’re bullying these people into a bunch of money,” he said.

If any resident comes across these scammers, they are asked to contact the Livingston County Sheriff’s Department.

Patrick Baron can be reached at [email protected].