SILVER SPRING, Md. — Maryland officials are cautioning homeowners about scammers pretending to be construction workers offering discounted home repairs. These schemes often resurface in the spring or after severe weather. Several Silver Spring residents have already fallen victim.
Resident Mac McDaniel recounted being approached by a group of friendly men claiming to offer special deals on driveway work because they were already working in the neighborhood. He accepted their offer, but after a few days, the workers vanished, leaving behind an incomplete and poorly done driveway.
Montgomery County’s Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) has received 16 reports of similar incidents since March in neighborhoods near Cantrell Road and Sturtevant Road.
“These aren’t just bad jobs — these homes are becoming crime scenes,” said Eric Friedman of the OCP, who has been with the office for over 40 years. He explained that the scammers prey on homeowners looking to save money and take advantage of their urgency to fix damage, especially after storms.
Friedman described the scams as seasonal and widespread. “It’s a big business for these crooks,” he said. “We see it every spring and after major storms.”
Some of the scammers’ equipment has been impounded, and while McDaniel was charged $5,000, he says they disappeared before collecting. Still, he’s left with the mess. “I’ll have to redo it on my own schedule,” he said, worried new contractors might charge more to fix the damage.
The OCP is working with Montgomery County Police to build a case for the State’s Attorney’s Office. In the meantime, officials urge residents to be wary of aggressive sales tactics — a common red flag for scams.
