"LEFTOVER ASPHALT" SCAM ALERTS LINKS TO IOWA DEPT. OF JUSTICE
HERE IN DES MOINES AND ACROSS THE STATE
If someone shows up unannounced offering to pave or repair your driveway at a price that seems too good to be true, take a moment before saying yes. This is the most common version of what's known as the "leftover asphalt" scam — and it's active right here in the Des Moines area, not just in isolated pockets of the state.
What It Looks Like at Your Door
A crew arrives without an appointment and says they have asphalt "leftover" from a nearby job, offering to pave or reseal your driveway that day at a steep discount. A few signs are common:
- No visible business name, logo, or signage on the trucks
- Out-of-state license plates
- No license, bond, or written estimate offered
- Pressure to decide and pay immediately, often in cash
Reputable local paving contractors hold proper licenses and insurance, provide written estimates, and rarely need to solicit door-to-door.
Trust Your Instincts
If a solicitation feels off, or you feel pressured, it's okay to simply turn the person away. If you can safely do so, write down a description of the vehicle, the driver, and the license plate. Then report it to your local law enforcement agency, the Iowa Attorney General's Office, and your local Better Business Bureau.
Before You Hire Anyone for Driveway or Sidewalk Work
- Get written estimates from more than one contractor, and get the full terms in writing
- Ask people you trust for referrals
- Ask to see a license and proof of bonding
- Never pay in full before the work is done; limit any upfront payment, avoid paying in cash, and always get a receipt
Contact the Iowa Attorney General's Office, Consumer Protection Division
Email: Consumer@ag.iowa.gov
Phone: 515-281-5926 | 888-777-4590 (outside the Des Moines metro area)
Mail: Hoover State Office Building, 1305 E. Walnut Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0106
Further Reading
EPA UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
HERE IN DES MOINES AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Inspector General has issued its own fraud alert on this scam, confirming what's happening right here in Des Moines. Fraudsters posing as contractors approach homeowners and businesses claiming to have leftover materials from a nearby job, offering a quick driveway sealing or paving service at a discounted price. The work is usually poorly done, unfinished, or unnecessary altogether, using low-quality or watered-down materials. Once the job is "done," the scammers often demand a higher payment than what was originally quoted.
A Newer Twist: Fake EPA Agents
The EPA has identified a disturbing new development in this same scam. After the initial paving or sealing job is finished, the same fraudsters — or associates working with them — return posing as EPA agents. They claim the materials used created an environmental violation that must be corrected immediately, then demand an on-the-spot fine or payment for emergency remediation.
In one case documented by the EPA, a victim paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for remediation work that was never actually needed.
Know the Facts
A real EPA agent will never show up unannounced and demand payment on the spot. Legitimate EPA enforcement involves formal investigations, written notices, and coordination with certified professionals — never a knock at the door and a cash demand.
Warning Signs of This Follow-Up Scam
- Someone claims to represent the EPA and shows up in person without prior written notice
- They say your driveway or paving job violated an environmental rule
- They pressure you to pay immediately, in cash, to avoid a fine or "correct" the issue
- They cannot produce a written notice, case number, or verifiable agency credentials
If This Happens to You
Refuse any on-the-spot payment and do not let anyone begin remediation work without independently verifying their identity first. You can report the scam directly to the EPA's Office of Inspector General:
- Online complaint form: EPAOIG.gov
- Email: OIG.Hotline@epa.gov
- Phone: 888-546-8740
Further Reading
BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU: A SCAM REPEATED IN STATE AFTER STATE
A PATTERN SEEN COAST TO COAST
This isn't an isolated problem in Iowa. The Better Business Bureau has issued warnings about this exact scam in states across the country, and reports it is on the rise, often leaving unsuspecting homeowners with shabby or unfinished work — and once the transaction is complete, the scam contractor may disappear altogether.
Kathleen Calligan, CEO of the BBB of Middle Tennessee, put it plainly when her office issued a statewide warning: "This is the biggest bait to a scam that we see in home improvement scams."
Why the BBB Says It Works
The pitch relies on urgency and a "too good to be true" price. A contractor claims to be working nearby, says they have material left over, and offers a steep discount if you decide right then and there. The BBB notes that legitimate, professional asphalt contractors know with great accuracy how much material a job requires — leftover asphalt significant enough to redo someone else's driveway is rare.
BBB's Tips to Avoid Getting Burned
- Be wary of unsolicited offers — most scams involving contractors start this way
- Research the company before hiring anyone, including checking its BBB profile
- Get everything in writing: estimates, completion dates, detailed work descriptions, and costs
- Stagger payments so the work can be inspected at each stage
- Use safe payment methods, like a credit card or a check written to the company — never cash, which leaves no way to stop payment or recover your money if something goes wrong
If You've Been Targeted
You can file a report with the BBB Scam Tracker, which helps warn other consumers and helps the BBB identify repeat offenders operating across state lines.
Further Reading