An Albany woman is being praised online for her courage and quick thinking after she stood her ground against a fake paving crew that tried to scam her out of $28,000 — and then threatened her when she refused to pay.
According to local reports, the woman, who asked not to be identified for safety reasons, was approached at her home by a group of men claiming to be professional driveway contractors. They told her they had “extra asphalt” left over from a nearby job and could repave her driveway at a discounted rate.
What sounded like a good deal quickly turned into a nightmare.
She agreed to a small patch repair for a few hundred dollars, but within hours, the crew had covered her entire driveway — and then demanded $28,000 in cash, claiming that’s what the “work was worth.” When she refused to pay, they allegedly became aggressive, blocking her car in the driveway and threatening to “come back” if she didn’t settle the bill.
Terrified, she called local police, who confirmed that this was part of a known regional scam where fraudulent paving companies target homeowners, often the elderly or those living alone.
“These scammers work fast,” explained an Albany police spokesperson. “They typically use leftover material claims, inflated prices, and intimidation tactics to trick victims into paying thousands for unfinished or poor-quality work.”
Fortunately, the woman didn’t fall for it. She documented the entire encounter, took photos of the crew’s trucks, and handed the evidence to authorities. Officers are now investigating several suspects believed to be connected to similar incidents across the region.
Neighbors have since come forward saying they were approached by the same crew but declined the offer. “They were very persistent,” one neighbor said. “I almost said yes, but something didn’t feel right.”
Experts warn that these scams spike during warmer months when driveway and home repair projects are common. The scammers often operate without licenses, insurance, or business registration, and vanish once they’ve collected payment — leaving homeowners with crumbling driveways and massive financial losses.
Consumer protection agencies advise homeowners to:
- Never agree to unsolicited offers for home repairs.
- Always get written estimates from licensed contractors.
- Refuse same-day deals that require immediate payment.
- Check company credentials through state databases or local business bureaus.
As for the Albany woman, she says she’s shaken but grateful she trusted her instincts. “They kept saying, ‘You owe us,’ but I knew something wasn’t right. I wasn’t going to let them bully me into paying for something I didn’t ask for.”
Her bravery has inspired others in the community to speak out and share warnings on social media to protect their neighbors.
💬 “She may have saved a lot of people from falling into the same trap,” one commenter wrote. “That’s real courage.”
🚨 Authorities urge anyone approached by suspicious contractors to report it immediately — because saying “no” might just save your wallet… and your peace of mind.
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