Door-to-door home repair scam results in $250K in losses at five households

Five separate households in the Ottawa area have lost a total of $250,000 in repairs promised to them from scam contractors who were out knocking door-to-door.

In a press release issued on Friday, Sept. 29, the Ottawa Police Service said that number is higher than usual, noting that those five residences have reported to police within the last two weeks.

The scammers tell homeowners that they need to make expensive repairs, including foundation, totalling $100,000 in some cases. After asking for money upfront, the work is left unfinished after being started.

The suspescts are white males between 40 and 50 years of age, who operate in pairs and speak in Irish or Scottish accents, added police.

“They say they’re already in the area working on a neighbours home and can offer a great deal,” said Fraud Unit Acting Sergeant Shaun Wahbeh in the press release.

Before getting any repairs done, police urge residents to check that the contractor is reputable on the Better Business Bureau. Price-checking can help to ensure that you are being given market rates and contingency plans can be written in a contract.

Police added that Community Navigation of Eastern Ontario can help homeowners identify scams at 2-1-1.