Driveway Salesman

HAMPTON, Va. - Joy Hopkins says she was in her home like any other day when she got a knock at her door from a man she says was a real charmer.  "He talked about God, he was a Christian. All he needed was a bible in his hand, she said."

It wasn't a bible he had, but rather a bag of concrete. Richard Smith, the so-called smooth talker, told Hopkins he had extra concrete in his truck from a previous job and could fix her driveway for $450. She thought it was a good deal and took him up on his offer.

"He took this bag of concrete off the truck and this white stuff and spread it all over the driveway and this girl put water all over it," she said.

He promised to come back days later to complete the job, but never showed.

10 On Your Side investigated a Richard Smith jut six months ago.  Police arrested him for allegedly conning a woman out of more than 1000 dollars.  He was charged with obtaining money under false pretenses. The phone number we had for Smith months ago is the same phone number he gave to Joy.

What happened to Joy in her neighborhood could happen to you in yours.  What seems to be a great deal could end up costing you a truckload.

Police tell 10 On Your Side:

• Never Pay for services up front
• Verify the Company has a business License
• Don't be pressured into signing a contract
• Obtain a license number

Use your instincts.  If something doesn't seem right and a deal sounds too good to be true,  It probably isn't.

It's advice Joy wishes she would have taken before she dished out the cash.  When Smith didn't return, Joy tried repeatedly to track him down.  She told 10 On Your Side, that she tried all of the numbers and could never get in touch with him.

10 On Your Side also tried to contact the Paving company. We just got recordings too. 

"I don't want him to get someone else like he got me", she said.

10 On Your Side checked and Richard Smith with C and R Paving doesn't have a business license in Hampton.  And, the Board Of Contractors doesn't have a license under C and R paving.