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‘Utter shock’: Woman comes home to find her driveway stolen (www.wrdw.com)

submitted 11 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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[–] [email protected] 24 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Most likely just a confused address.

Somewhere in my city is another place that apparently sounds similar, and I've even had the electric company show up to turn off service at my house. And I've ordered food that rarely results in me getting a phone call swearing they're at my place, then finding out they're a half hour away.

I'm betting someone was trying to replace their own driveway, and contractors kept going to this place.

It might be some crazy scam, but it's more likely sheer ineptitude.

Some landlord with multiple properties just not paying attention and telling all the contractors that either no one would be there, or not to pay attention to the renters.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 11 months ago

According to the WFTV article:

Jeff said this type of scheme, known as an overpayment scam, is pervasive in the industry. “The scam targets contractors,” he explained, “And sometimes inadvertently affects homeowners in the process.” In an overpayment scheme, a scammer will seek out homes listed for sale on sites like Zillow or Redfin. Typically, they’ll target vacant homes.

The scammer will pretend to be the home’s owner, and ask local contractors to provide an estimate for some exterior work like a roof, driveway or painting.

The scammer and the contractor will agree to a price, and the scammer will mail or otherwise provide a check for more than the agreed upon price.

“Instead of being $20,000, there’ll be $22,000,” Jeff said. “Then, they’ll get a call from the supposed homeowner saying ‘Oh my gosh, there was a mistake.’”

The scammer will ask that the extra money be refunded. Shortly after the contractor sends the cash and occasionally after work begins, the scammer’s original check will bounce from the contractor’s bank account.