Settle got a thin, one-hour drive-way job, likely a scam
UPDATE - A Calhoun woman wasn't the only person convinced to have a drive-way paved by an outfit that stopped by without a business license or without a vehicle license.
A Braxton County woman says the incident sounds like the same scenario used with her family, not giving an estimate and then wanting to drive to the bank to get their money.
"We'll follow you to the bank," they said.
The paver's announced they had asphalt left over from a job, "And we need to get rid of it."
Eventually, after the job was done, they wanted $3,300, she said.
Following the paving of an Orma woman's drive-way, a large pile of asphalt was dumped along Rt. 16 near the Orma UM Church, on the state right-of-way.
By Bob Weaver
ORIGINAL STORY - What appeared to be a paving scam struck an Orma resident yesterday, when about six young men in three vehicles stopped at her house, offering to pave a driveway.
When Sharon Settle inquired about the cost, saying she didn't have a whole lot of money, one of the men said, "Oh, you can just feed us," insisting she need not worry about the cost.
"They asked if I had a husband, and I told them no," she said.
Following a lot of banter, Settle inquired about the company and they gave her a name, after which she gave permission to go ahead, still inquiring about the cost.
"Every-time I ask about the cost, he would change the subject. I signed a paper, but the paper didn't have a name, address or phone number of the contractor.
"I got suspicious when I saw one of the vehicles didn't have a license plate, and called my daughter," Settle said.
The three vehicles had no markings, but after the crew laid a thin coat of blacktop using shovels, rakes and a hand-pushed roller, the man said, "I'm going to give you a really great deal - $4,000.
Settle said her daughter and two of the men went to Calhoun Banks in Arnoldsburg, where the bank manager indicated the deal seemed shaky, asked for a business license and called the Attorney General's office.
The men then took off.
"They didn't give me bill. It made me feel pretty dumb, but they seemed really convincing," Settle said. "I just don't want any of my neighbors to get taken."
Settle admitted she did get a very thin coat of pavement, but said it surely wasn't worth $4,000.
The Calhoun Sheriffs Department is investigating the incident.
Another popular scam, which delivers a small amount of product for a lot of money, is the frozen food beef and seafood truck, still making the rounds.
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