Police warn about door-to-door contractor scams
- Toronto police issued warnings after elderly Brampton victims were convinced to pay for unnecessary home repairs. - Incidents date back to July 2024 and involved multiple men presenting as legitimate contractors, according to police. - Authorities advise verification, refusing unsolicited services, and reporting suspicious contractors to curb fraud (insauga.com).
Toronto police say two elderly victims were talked into paying for bogus home repairs after men showed up at their homes posing as legitimate contractors. (tps.ca) Investigators say the case began in July 2024, when multiple men claimed they were contractors and City of Toronto workers. Police allege the victims paid for roof repairs, “mandatory backyard clean-ups” and emergency home repairs that were unnecessary or never done. (tps.ca) Toronto police arrested 23-year-old Arashdeep Singh of Brampton and charged him with fraud over $5,000, personation with intent to gain advantage, possessing property obtained by crime over $5,000, and laundering proceeds of crime. He was scheduled to appear at the Toronto Regional Bail Centre on April 22, 2026. (tps.ca) Police said the accused allegedly used two business names: Friendly Masonry Ltd. and 17051450 Canada Inc. Investigators also said they believe there are more victims and released his image as they asked the public to come forward. (tps.ca) The warning lands as Ontario authorities keep chasing similar home-repair schemes aimed at older residents. In September 2024, Ontario Provincial Police said a door-to-door sales investigation had identified more than 200 victims, most of them seniors. (cbc.ca) The basic pitch is familiar: a stranger knocks, claims to see urgent damage, and pushes for a quick decision before the homeowner can check the story. Canada’s Competition Bureau says door-to-door scammers often use home services and repairs to sell work people do not want or need. (competition-bureau.canada.ca) Toronto police told residents to be cautious of unsolicited contractors who claim a repair is urgent. They also advised getting multiple independent quotes, checking credentials through independent sources, and being wary of escalating costs or demands for cash, bank drafts, or large down payments. (tps.ca) Police are asking anyone with information to contact investigators or Crime Stoppers. The case now stands as another warning that the knock at the door can be the start of a fraud, not a repair job. (tps.ca)
