Yukoners looking for home services might need to pay more attention in determining whether the company they choose is legitimate. Yukon RCMP have sent out a fraud alert on the matter. 

“The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre is a valuable partner of the RCMP and often flags alerts of trends they are seeing,” police said in a recent statement.

“They are noticing an increased reporting related to misleading home services and equipment. Victims are being contacted through ads on social media, telemarketing calls, or from door-to-door salespersons.” 

Some services related to the scams are home services and equipment, paving or asphalt, air duct cleaning, work on your furnace, hot water tank and other home equipment appliances, or general contracting and home maintenance. 

Door-to-door scammers will try to sell you services at low or discounted rates. If the payment is made upfront, the contractor may disappear without showing up.

Or they will show up and do a bad job, which might cause further trouble. Poor work can render warranties invalid and cause potential safety risks.

If you’re approached by a stranger offering services that you didn’t seek, RCMP advise, check their legitimacy before accepting. 

“Here are some tips to protect yourself from scams and frauds: don’t be afraid to say no!” police said.

“Do your research, don’t give out personal information, beware of upfront fees.”