HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday’s office this past week filed a consumer protection complaint against a Lackawanna County paving company and its owner, alleging customers faced high-pressure sales tactics, unexpected price increases and unfinished or substandard work.
The complaint names N. Stanley Paving Inc. and owner Nicholas E. Stanley as defendants. The Attorney General’s Office alleges they violated Pennsylvania’s Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act and Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law.
According to the complaint, the defendants advertised paving, sealing and asphalt services through social media and door-to-door solicitations. The Attorney General’s Office reported receiving at least 14 consumer complaints involving the company’s business practices.
State investigators allege the defendants increased contract prices without customers’ knowledge, abandoned some home improvement projects, failed to complete contracted work and performed work that consumers considered substandard.
In one case detailed by the Attorney General’s Office, a senior citizen in Dauphin County was allegedly approached by the defendants with an offer to pave a driveway using materials purportedly left over from another project.
According to the complaint, the consumer was quoted $16,000 and made an $8,000 down payment. After the work was completed, the defendants allegedly sought $32,000 — twice the original contract price.
The Attorney General’s Office alleges that when the consumer questioned the increase, additional terms were discovered in the contract that had been added without the consumer’s knowledge or consent. Authorities allege the consumer ultimately paid $32,000 because he feared a lien would be placed on his property.
The state’s civil action seeks restitution for affected consumers, penalties and costs, as well as an injunction against the defendants for the alleged consumer protection violations.
Senior Deputy Attorney General Merna T. Hoffman filed the matter in Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas. The complaint in equity is pending court approval, according to the Attorney General’s Office.
Consumers who believe they were affected by the defendants’ alleged business practices may contact the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office at 1-800-441-2555 or scams@attorneygeneral.gov.
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