Halifax police warn of heating and cooling scam, fake loan rebate program
Suspects cut off communication once loan is transferred, leaving victims with repayment, police say
Halifax Regional Police are warning the public of a scam involving the door-to-door sale of heating and cooling equipment.
Police said in a statement on Thursday they are investigating two incidents where two men posed as representatives of a heating and cooling company and advertised an illegitimate government loan rebate program.
In both cases, the men asked for personal documentation from victims, including notices of assessment, property tax and power bills, and drivers' licences, and used that information to apply for a loan.
The cash from the loan is then transferred to the men, who tell their victims that a government rebate program will reimburse them, according to police.
The men cut off all communication once the loan was transferred, leaving victims with the loan repayment. Police said in one case a contractor was hired to install a heat pump and was never paid.
Police are warning residents to avoid giving out personal information to salespeople unless they can be sure of the legitimacy of the businesses.
Anyone with information about the incidents is asked to contact police.