Sham paving company solicited business in Passaic County suburb, authorities say

BLOOMINGDALE -- Police are cautioning homeowners to exercise vigilance when interacting with contractors after a questionable paving company, Total Paving & Masonry, allegedly damaged a resident's driveway while soliciting business door-to-door. The company, which claimed to provide "quality service" and employ "trained workers," is not licensed to operate in New Jersey.

Authorities arrested Patrick Connors, 33, from the U.K., who claimed to be the owner of Total Paving, and charged him with various criminal offenses and consumer affairs violations. Police impounded several company vehicles, including a dump truck and skid-steer loader, as part of their investigation into the fraudulent practices.

The alert about the company came after residents reported that its representatives were soliciting without the proper permits. Officers were dispatched to a location on White Haven Place following complaints about a blocked driveway caused by the company's work. Upon investigation, the police found multiple vehicles belonging to Total Paving and confirmed the business was unlicensed by consulting the state Division of Consumer Affairs.

Police emphasized the importance of verifying the legitimacy of contractors by requesting borough-issued permits. Chief Daniel Greenwood advised residents to call the authorities if the contractors cannot provide such documentation. Additionally, the state recommended a straightforward approach to avoid scams: simply not answering unexpected knocks at the door.

For further guidance on avoiding scams, individuals can visit the anti-fraud toolkit available on the New Jersey Consumer Affairs website.