Calgary police searching for contractor fraud suspects who targeted seniors

Police are appealing for information to help them find a man and woman wanted on warrants for scams that conned Calgary seniors in the south of the city out of tens of thousand of dollars.

One senior who was targeted had Alzheimer's disease.That victim paid over $8,500 for work on a roof last year that was never completed.

Police say three other elderly victims were approached by the same man, who had others working with him.

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The group offered to clean the victims' eaves troughs and do other odd jobs around their homes, but started pointing out other jobs they said needed doing, charging them more than $37,000 for work that was never done.

None of the suspects were licensed to carry out work in Calgary.

Police have charged three people in connection with the incidents. One man has been arrested, with warrants issued for the other man and a woman.

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Calgarians who suspect they may be the victim of contractor fraud are encouraged to contact police or CrimeStoppers

Here are some tips from Calgary police on how to protect yourself from fraud when hiring a contractor:

• Ensure you are dealing with an approved contracting company that is properly licensed and insured. You can use the Better Business Bureau or the City of Calgary's online business licence database as resources.
• Ask whether the contractor carries liability insurance. It is not required by law, but if a company does not have this, any damage to property resulting from the renovation may not be covered by the company you have hired.
• Ask for, and contact, references.
• Have the contractor sign a written contract that includes a start date, completion date, full details of the work and materials and the complete cost.
• Be cautious about paying for work or supplies before the work has been completed, or the supplies have been delivered.
• Be cautious of upfront deposits as only contractors who have a pre-paid contractor's licence from Service Alberta can ask for a deposit. You can check for these licences by calling 1-877-427-4088.