‘Do not do business with people going door-to-door,’ is a common phrase coming from Central Saanich Police Service. With the advent of spring, they reiterate that theme.
“Like clockwork, each spring there is an increase in reports of unscrupulous individuals who go door-to-door, preying on homeowners with empty promises of home repairs and garden work,” said Cpl. Janis Jean, media liaison for the Central Saanich Police Service.
A common scam is for the shyster to ask for money up front and never return. Other times the culprits will provide an estimate of a home repair problem that is much more than a repair should cost, often exaggerating the need for a repair when repair work is not needed.
“Occasionally, they will solicit a job to work inside your home with the primary intent of seeing the inside of your home to plan a break and enter at a later date,” Jean said.
She recommends, if a solicitor comes to the door, take a business card and advise them you will contact them at a later date for a quote.
Don’t let pressure tactics sway you. Check references, call the Better Business Bureau or contact a contractor directly and obtain multiple quotes before you agree to any work.
Never provide full payment up front, Jean advises.