Two males have been arrested for fraud as part of a door-to-door scam in Oshawa.
On Wednesday, June 26, members of East Division responded to a fraud-in-progress call at the victim’s residence, in the area of Grandview Drive and Wesley Drive.
Two males from a fake business named Consumers Assistance attended the victim’s residence in the morning to offer debt consolidation services on outstanding money owed for energy related appliances, said a police report.
The victim previously purchased a number of energy related systems, such as a heat pump, air purifying system, tankless water heater, etc., from a door-to-door sales person claiming they would receive green rebates from the government in return. The victim spent over $50,000 upgrading these appliances and never received any rebates.
The suspects attended the victim’s residence and claimed they would pay off the victim’s outstanding debt for an additional $11,000, and would return later that evening with the paperwork. When the suspects returned, police attended the residence and took both suspects into custody without incident.
Police believe there may be other victims.
One male, age 20 from Ottawa, and another male, age 26 from Quebec, were charged.
The Ottawa suspect was released on an undertaking. The other was held for a bail hearing. Names and further details available at www.drps.ca
Anyone who has been victimized or that has any information about this or similar incidents is asked to contact D/Cst. Reeves of the Major Fraud Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5241.
Police said recent provincial legislation (Homeowners Protection Act, 2024) changed the civil rules regarding this on-going issue. Victims are home owners, often older adults, some with cognitive concerns. In some incidents homeowners have lost/may lose their home because liens are placed on their residence.
Perpetrators of this fraud are currently attempting to ‘strong-arm’ homeowners into paying out unreasonable, and at times illegal contracts as recent changes in law will be removing these fraudulent liens. Perpetrators are believed to have ties to organized crime. If you believe you have been a victim of this type of scam please contact your local police service.
Editor’s Note: Durham Post does not name or identify the accused as:
1. Of this time, they are suspect[s] and not convicted by a court, and
2. Sometimes charges are amended or dropped.