Door-to-door scams, where people may show up at your door offering free repairs or low-cost products, are becoming more common. Here are some tips to protect yourself from these fraudsters.
“This scam takes place when someone knocks on your door claiming to be able to do free or near-free repairs, install appliances in your home, or consolidate your debts into a mortgage,” explained Staff Sergeant Cameron Graham of the Ottawa Police Organized Fraud Unit.
This fraud can take several months or even years to become apparent to some and can result in very high costs. It could even lead to loss of home or property at the hands of loan companies due to mortgage clauses or liens acquired on property hidden in fraudulent contracts.
This type of scam could be perpetrated anywhere, and with that in mind, here are the Organized Fraud Unit’s tips for protecting yourself against these scams.
• Be wary of a financing company that approaches you at your home unsolicited, offering to save on payments or consolidate your debts – especially in the case of liens acquired on your property.
• Ask yourself: why is this person offering me help, and how do they know about my personal situation?
• Remember, no renovation is free, and you could pay through a lien or pledge.
• Never share personal information or copies of any bills, financial statements or mortgage documents with anyone who knocks on your door.
• Don’t give in to aggressive sales techniques – where decisions must be made on the spot. Always seek advice from reliable people when making such decisions.
• Do not sign any blank documents.
2023-12-21 20:03:00
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