FRAUD ALERT: Construction Scam Circulating

Published on July 28, 2025

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Arlington County Police Department (ACPD) is warning the community about a common and reoccurring nationwide construction scam currently circulating in Arlington.

Several community members have reported individuals posing as contractors, in some cases stating they are Arlington County contractors, going door-to-door to offer driveway sealing, roof repairs and other construction/property improvement work that is ultimately not performed following the exchange of a monetary advance in the form of cash, check or electronic payment.

To avoid becoming a victim of this scam, ACPD advises community members to:

• Avoid hiring door-to-door solicitors offering home improvement services. Pay attention to high-pressure sales tactics, cash-only deals, on-site inspections and deals without contracts.
• Hire contractors that are licensed and insured. Conduct a license inquiry for a contractor with the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation.
• Review references and reviews of contractors prior to hiring and signing a contract for services to be performed.
• Never pay the full amount for a project up front. Generally, down payments should not exceed 10% of the total contract price.

Community members are reminded that Arlington County contractors will never go door-to-door to offer any sort of property improvements, request payment (in the form of cash, check or otherwise) for County work or solicit private work while performing County services. In addition, all County staff, including contractors, wear official identification.

For more information on the construction scam and other common scams, visit ACPD’s Financial Crimes webpage.

To report in-progress incidents, call the Arlington County non-emergency line at 703-558-2222. If you were the target or victim of this scam or any others in Arlington County, please file an online police report.