RCMP warns of home improvement scams

• Yearly Movement of “Travelers” to Canada to Conduct Home Improvement Scams

Known in enforcement circles as “Travelers”, these are a distinct group of nomadic individuals that arrive in Canada (from the USA, the United Kingdom and Ireland) and operate as unlicensed, itinerant contractors.  These groups  often reside in campgrounds or  trailers parks just outside major urban centers working the rural peripheries of the larger centers and small rural communities. They tend to visit southern Alberta in the spring each year.  These groups run scams involving paving, painting, roofing, rain gutters, chimney repair or any other home renovations.

A typical sales pitch is that they are working in the neighborhood and can offer a reduced rate for  a particular job.  Their work may be of poor quality and the consumer often ends up paying considerably more to fix the shoddy outcome. Targets of these groups are often seniors who succumb to high pressure sales tactics .  The Travelers constantly, and aggressively, approach their victims until they have received as much money as the scam artist feels he/she can get out of the victim.

Possible warning signs:

• knock on your door offering a special price because they just happen to be doing work in the area.
• promise a discount if you allow them to use your home to advertise their work (The same offer is likely made to everyone).
• quote a price without seeing the actual job
• demand a large down payment for materials
• conduct a free inspection of your home and then suggest major repairs 
• unmarked truck or van with out of province licence plates
• no business identification
• local address or phone number
• no local references

The RCMP would like to make the public aware of these potential  scams.  Education, prevention and consumer awareness are the best ways to deal with unscrupulous contractors.  Investigations, after the fact, may not have successful outcomes: these individuals typically stay in a community for only a short time, making it difficult for police to identify, locate and, when possible, obtain evidence and charge them.  It is important for homeowners to know their rights and the protections that exist so that they can be confident in the people they hire.  Service Alberta has an eight page Home Renovations Tipsheet that helps homeowners determine a qualified and competent contractor at   www.servicealberta.gov.ab.ca/pdf/tipsheets/Home_Renovations.pdf

The RCMP suggests that consumers use caution when accepting unsolicited offers for service, especially if the person is using one of the above mentioned techniques to obtain your business.

To report a scam occurring in your area, please contact your local RCMP Detachment.

Pincher Creek RCMP: 403-627300