The Better Business Bureau is offering a few tips in identifying driveway repair scammers who often make the rounds in summer.

Kristin Matthews of the BBB says a scammer might leave a pamphlet or brochure in your door or mailbox or knock on your door, indicating that they’re working in the neighbourhood and noticed that your driveway might need some work.

Matthews says the difference between scammers and legitimate driveway contractors is that they’ll often ask for a big portion of the job price upfront.

She says it’s normal for a contractor to require a downpayment, but scammers will ask for all, or a large portion of the job price, upfront and then you never see or hear from them again.

In other cases, the “contractor” will complete the work, but it will be shoddy or unprofessional and then they threaten court action if you refuse to pay.

Intimidation is another tactic used by scammers says Matthews. If there’s no written contract, then they don’t have a legal leg to stand on, she says.

Matthews says if in doubt, check the BBB website for legitimate contractors and try to make your payment with a credit card instead of cash so that the payment can be traced and allow you greater protection.