Wellington County OPP regularly issues warnings about various scams making the rounds. It’s unfortunate, but many of these schemes seem to be cyclical, rearing their heads in the area, running their course and then returning again a few months or a few years later.
In recent weeks local police have warned about:
– a scam in which a caller poses as a Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) employee in an attempt to acquire personal information;
– an email from the CRA offering a tax rebate, but requiring that personal information be sent; and
– the inheritance scam, in which someone claiming to be a lawyer representing the estate of a deceased person in another country who just happens to have the same last name as the victim seeks help in spiriting the money out of the country in return for a percentage.
The latest scams to make the rounds appear to be among the oldest, as police are reminding citizens about various home renovation scams and are appealing to residents to report any suspicious activity.
Scams such as driveway paving, lawn care services, roofing, home appliance sales for items such as air conditioners or water heaters, usually begin with a cold-call door knock by someone offering to do repair work and/or sell merchandise. Often, the suspects claim to be in the area for just one day and use hard pressure tactics to convince the homeowner to purchase the service or item.
Specifically, police report they are noticing an increase in door-to-door asphalt sales.
“While some companies are reputable, it is up to you, as the consumer, to do your homework and ensure that the company you are hiring is legitimate and not just there to take your money,” police advise.
Often times, the company will quote you for a certain amount, and by the end of the actual work, that price has increased threefold and the quality of the work is less than desirable.
After receiving cash deposits from customers, the scammers often do not return with the merchandise as promised, nor do they arrive at a later date to complete the purchased service. In some cases, the service purchased is completed haphazardly and at a much higher cost than previously agreed upon. The target victims of this crime tend to be senior citizens, but all homeowners may be susceptible to this type of fraud, police note.
Wellington County OPP point out legitimate companies will not offer you a deal that sounds “too good to be true” nor expect a business decision immediately without a written quote. Residents are advised to ask for and to check business references.
“Be vigilant with all door-to-door business propositions and report any suspicious activity to police for further investigation. If someone comes to your door, ask to see some identification. You do not have to let them in and they must leave if you ask them to,” police say.
Before paying any money, citizens are advised to take the time to find out about the business and its offer. The OPP recommends contacting the Competition Bureau at 1-800-348-5358 or visiting www.competitionbureau.gc.ca. You can also contact the Better Business Bureau if you are unsure about a seller that comes to your door.
With enough information and some legitimate scrutiny, local residents can help break the scam cycle and put crooked operators out of business.
Patrick Raftis
