HILLSBOROUGH — Township police are urging residents to be vigilant when answering the door to potential scam artists looking to upgrade a homeowner’s driveway with what they call “driveway sealer.’’
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Police said the alleged scam artists really seal the driveway with used motor oil, which washes once completing the job away after the first rainfall. The motor oil makes the driveway appear to be sealed and includes an odor, police said.
Police said the perpetrators – dressed in professional-looking clothing -- have been found by authorities to knock on the doors of homeowners, state they recently completed a job nearby and have additional driveway sealer.
In another scam, a perpetrator will ask a homeowner to view the property lines of a house and lot, police said.
Authorities said the scam is to get the homeowner outside while a second or third person enters the home and steals valuables while the homeowner is distracted.
Police said the scam artists are known to target the senior citizen population, however, none of these scams have been reported recently.
Police Chief Paul Kaminsky said township employees performing assessments on a residence will carry proper identification with them, which includes a photograph.