CALGARY – Homeowners can expect to hear their doorbell dinging more frequently as the weather warms and door to door salesmen start making their rounds.
Although some are legitimate, The Better Business Bureau is warning many can be con artists who move from town to town and province to province, performing poor work, or simply collecting deposits and leaving behind a trail of unhappy consumers.
5 most common solicitation scams:
Asphalt pavers – They offer cut-rate paving services, claiming they have material left over from another job in the neighborhood. Their work and materials are often substandard and the quality of work is poor.
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Home improvement contractors – Many door to door contractors are unlicensed, uninsured and unqualified to do the work they offer.
Heating, roofing and chimney contractors – They may make false claims that major repairs are necessary or that heating equipment needs replacement.
Landscapers and cleanup crews – Scammers knock on doors and send out flyers at this time of year, offering yard maintenance and cleanup services. They may show up once or twice, or simply take a deposit and never return to do the work.
Magazine sellers – Students are often unaware they are being duped into selling magazine subscriptions for disreputable operators. In many cases wrong magazines arrive or consumers are overcharged. In other situations, the magazine vendors’ boss is simply collecting credit card information for the purpose of committing fraud.
Alarm systems – BBBs across the country receive complaints about people selling alarm systems and failing to divulge terms of the contract for alarm system monitoring.
Remember to check for credentials. Direct sellers require a license when selling services or goods over $25 door-to-door (with some exceptions). Make sure they provide proof of required insurance coverage, licensing and proof of registration with the municipality and the province.
If your property requires maintenance or remodeling, BBB recommends researching prospective contractors and sellers at www.bbb.org, to see what other consumers’ experiences have been like.
Remember your rights. Alberta’s Fair Trading Act has various “cooling-off” periods legislated for different kinds of contracts. Visit Service Alberta for more information.
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