File Photo

Police are warning that the home repair scam is still happening in HRM.

Over the past couple of months there have been cases of a group of men who knock on the door of a house, who then tell the homeowner their chimney needs to be repaired, but they need a deposit before doing the work.

Police say in some cases they represent themselves to be from a local company.

Police have some tips on getting property work done:

• Be cautious if a home repair company shows up at your door without being solicited. Don’t be afraid to say no thank you’ and close the door.
• Don’t be pressured into making a decision on the spot. Scammers try to create a sense of urgency so you will take immediate action and don’t have time to think the situation through.
• Check companies with the Better Business Bureau (https://www.bbb.org/local-bbb/better-business-bureau-serving-the-atlantic-provinces) and/or ask for references from previous clients.
• Consider getting written quotes (not estimates) from at least two businesses.
• Be cautious of providing money upfront for work, avoid paying large deposits in advance and arrange staged payments.
• Always agree upon the price, payment arrangements, job details and start/finish dates in writing before any work starts on your home.
• Only pay invoices once you can confirm the work has been carried out and don’t pay in full until the work has been completed as agreed upon.

Call police at 902-490-5016 if you’ve lost money or your identity has been compromised as the result of a scam. You can report a scam where you haven’t been a victim to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre by calling 1-888-495-8501.