As spring begins, Ontario Provncial Police (OPP) are out with a warning to be wary of paving and construction scams.
The OPP have released some tips to members of the community on how to spot fraudsters, who can be persistent, persuasive and aggressive, and often target vulnerable people for payment, including seniors.
“Examination of these contractors often reveals the absence of an official online presence, registration with local chambers of commerce, the Better Business Bureau or similar reputable organizations,” a news release suggests.
Police say beware if you are being contacted directly at your door or via telephone — especially if you did not request or do not feel you require the service.
Also, don’t be fooled by flashy pamphlets:
“Fraudsters employ professionally designed flyers and website that have a legitimate appearance.”
Other advice includes asking for a written contract and up-front quote, and being cautious of so-called contractors offering material “leftover” from another job.
OPP say it’s a red flag for a company to ask for up front payment before a job is completed, and if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.