Brandon Twp.- Police are warning residents about a band of traveling gypsies who have stopped in the township.
‘They go from state to state selling asphalt driveway jobs and they are not licensed to do so,? said Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Greg Glover, township substation commander. ‘A group of these gypsies has moved into our area… I want the residents of Brandon and Groveland to be aware and use caution. There is nothing legitimate about this group. Tickets have been written in all these states and they have no legitimate business address.?
Glover received a tip-off about the group from a local resident who spends time in Florida, where the home improvement scams perpetrated by such groups have been highly publicized. This group is offering to apply asphalt to driveways and has been staying in the township for the past several days. On Tuesday, after receiving the tip, Brandon deputies drove to a residence where the unlicensed workers had a job in progress. They were issued several tickets, including for having vehicles not certified by the Michigan Department of Transportation and running a business not licensed with the state or county.
‘We haven’t received a complaint yet (from residents) because they don’t partake in a written contract,? said Glover. ‘Everything is verbal, which is a huge mistake for citizens? they have nothing to fall back on if (the driveway) falls apart.?
Sheriff Michael Bouchard issued a statement on Tuesday reminding residents that every spring and summer, day laborers such as the ones cited in Brandon travel from city to city in search of victims. These contractors offer to pave driveways, repair roofs or paint houses, often at a reduced price with supplies left over from other jobs. The work is quickly completed, but with poor quality, and by the time the homeowner has caught on, the scam artists have skipped town with the victim’s money.
Residents should beware of repairpersons driving unmarked trucks or vans without out-of-state plates; workers with no business identification, local address or phone number; offers of ‘special prices? for signing today; upfront cost or fees or acceptance of cash only as payment; no written estimates; no contracts; no references; and offers that sound ‘too good to be true.?
Additionally, residents should always obtain the contractor’s license, permits, insurance and bonding information.
‘If they can’t prove they are legitimate, it’s wise to not enter any kind of agreement,? said Glover, who adds that if residents are suspicious of anyone coming to their door, they can call the police. ‘We’ll send someone out to see if they are legitimate.?