Multiple homeowners swept up in door-to-door chimney repair scam, police say
Victims gave accused upwards of $200 deposits for work that was never done
An alleged fraudster who police say convinced people across southern Ontario that their chimneys needed repairs is facing charges, with officers speculating there could be other victims.
Ontario Provincial Police charged a 50-year-old man with seven counts of fraud under $5,000 for a door-to-door scam carried out in multiple regions across the province, from Petrolia to the London area, and as far east as Quinte West.
"He would approach a residence, offer to do repairs on a chimney with a deposit, but after the deposit was given, he was not heard from again," said Const. Brett Phair. Police were first alerted to the alleged scam in January by a homeowner in West Lorne who paid a $200 deposit.
"Our officers found this was a scenario that played out in multiple jurisdictions."
The accused was arrested last week in a road stop in Orillia when his vehicle's license plate matched a wanted person's alert.
He's made his first court appearance in St. Thomas and was granted bail, but Phair said the investigation is ongoing.
"This person definitely got around. That's why we are encouraging everyone to come forward because this may not be the end of it," Phair said.
OPP say homeowners in the following places were victims of this scam:
- Town of Petrolia
- St. Clair Township
- Municipality of Brooke-Alvinston
- Municipality of Southwest Middlesex
- Township of Dawn-Euphemia
- City of Quinte West
Police encourage homeowners to contact them if they believe they've been victims of fraud: 1-888-310-1122.