Asphalt scams

COLDcalling conmen are still ripping off residents with shoddy asphalting work, police have warned.
Detective Sergeant Rod Arthur of Narre Warren Criminal Investigation Unit told people to be mindful of tradesmen knocking on their doors and offering a cheap deal on sealing driveways.
It is not known how many groups in the local area are carrying out the scam, which operates across Victoria and interstate.
The tradesmen, who ask to be paid in cash and are unable to produce legitimate company papers and invoices, have been preying on the elderly in the Pakenham, Beaconsfield and Berwick areas.
Det Sgt Arthur said the men were doing the work without the necessary preparation and machinery, resulting in surface cracks within weeks.
He urged residents approached in this manner to take down registration numbers and identity details and to contact the police.