The FBI is warning homeowners about itinerant ripoff artists, described in an official bulletin as "caucasians known to speak with an Irish accent," are operating a driveway paving scam.

It's simple: they post fliers in your neighborhood saying they're bonded and experienced, then do lousy or incomplete work and disappear with your money.

When you try to get your money back, you find their phone number disconnected and their business address doesn't exist.

"Homeowners have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars as a result of these paving scams," says the FBI.

Victims of the scam or anyone with information about it are asked to call the FBI's toll-free number, 1-888-324-9800.

Jeff Killeen, local FBI spokesman, said he didn't know any specifics about victims in the Pittsburgh area, but the FBI in Washington believes the scammers are here or have been here recently.

"There are indications that they have been in this area," he said.

Debbie Weierman, spokesman for the Washington office, said the FBI has also issued bulletins for Washington, Chicago, Boston, Newark, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Richmond.

The agency issued a similar warning last year for Virginia and Maryland.

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

First Published: August 25, 2006, 4:00 a.m.