The OPP is raising awareness around door-to-door scams across the province.
The force says it’s received an increased number of complaints from homeowners who have been solicited at home by scammers selling products.
Fraudsters approach individuals in person at the door to their home and use compelling tactics to persuade the homeowner or occupant that a new appliance, contract or service is required.
After the purchase or installation of the appliances, the victims are contacted by someone claiming to be from a law firm offering a solution to exit the previously signed contracts and consolidate the incurred debts.
Victims are then told they may be eligible to receive an award for a large sum of money if they sign off on a presented contract.
As a condition of the award, the victims are contacted by a home renovation company and ultimately are pressured into signing a contract, which they are led to believe is required to collect the award.
The scammers then use the signed documents to obtain a mortgage or secondary mortgage on the victim’s home. The funds are then deposited into the victim’s bank account, leading the victims’ to believe they have received the award, which is actually funds from the home equity mortgage taken out on their home.
As a condition of the award, victims are instructed to pay the renovation company the proceeds of the award to comply with the terms of the judgement.
Some ways to protect yourself is by asking for photo ID and the organization or company the visitor represents, not feeling pressured to make a decision on the spot and never sharing financial statements.
