Aug 6, 2026
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After stealing over $500,000 from seniors in multiple linked home renovation scams across the country, three male suspects were arrested by Waterloo Regional Police Services (WRPS) on July 8.
In an interview with CBC News, WRPS Const. Chris Iden revealed that the men would approach their victims using “high-pressure, urgent fear tactics,” offering services that the so-called contractors had no intention of completing.
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Even more concerning was that one of the scammers was posing as a police officer to carry out their ploys.
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“As an officer, we are a service that people rely to trust on. And so, when somebody is taking on that identity and providing false promises that’s concerning because of the fact that people are more open to be trustworthy towards officers,” Iden told the news outlet.
In a press release, WRPS indicated that these home renovation scams can be connected to a greater ring of criminal activity throughout the nation.
“Investigators have observed that renovation fraud schemes of this nature are often linked to organized criminal networks that operate across multiple jurisdictions in Canada. In some cases, individuals connected to these networks travel from outside the country and move between communities targeting homeowners, particularly seniors,” the release stated.
Service fraud a continuing concern for the elderly in Canada
Unfortunately, fraud operations like this home renovation scam — known as service scams — aren’t new.
The latest data from the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre (CAFC) shows that service fraud is the third most commonly reported scam in Canada, and claimed $19.5 million from Canadians in 2025. This is down slightly from 2024’s numbers, when service fraud took just over $20 million from Canadians. The average dollar loss per victimization in 2024 for service scams was $5,211 — in 2025, the figure rose over 50% to nearly $8,000.
And CAFC notes that service fraud is largely targeted against seniors based on a number of factors. For one, this demographic is more likely to be at home during the day to answer the door. Isolated seniors in particular may be more susceptible to urgent or fear-based sales tactics since they don’t have a nearby family member or trusted friend to get a second opinion from.
While the tactics vary slightly by region, fraud investigators note a consistent pattern: scammers rely on a homeowner's fear of costly damage, request payment before any work begins and disappear once funds are transferred. Some operate under fake business names or shift locations between provinces to avoid detection.
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So how exactly can seniors, and their loved ones, spot these service scams before it’s too late?
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Signs of a service scam
A stranger showing up at your door and pointing out a problem with your roof, driveway or eavestroughs can be enough to make any homeowner panic. But before you agree to a repair, take a step back. These tips can help you spot a questionable contractor before you hand over your hard-earned cash.
- Watch for excessive urgency. Be wary if a contractor claims the work needs to be done immediately or offers a “today-only” discount. A legitimate contractor should give you time to consider your options rather than pressure you into signing a contract on the spot.
- Get multiple opinions. If someone tells you your roof is falling apart or your driveway needs an expensive repair, don’t take their word for it. Get quotes from multiple established contractors so you can compare both the diagnosis and the price.
- Do your homework before hiring. Look up the company, check its online presence and search for reviews or complaints with the Better Business Bureau. You can also ask friends, family or neighbours if they’ve used the contractor. Never rely on just a company’s website alone.
- Be cautious about upfront payments. Asking for full payment before work begins should be a red flag, particularly if the contractor showed up unexpectedly at your door. It’s typical for contractors to request 10% or 20% of the total bill before starting the project, but not the full amount.
How to protect your elderly loved ones from a service scam
Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario (EAPO), a provincial organization focused on protecting Ontario seniors from abuse of all kinds, suggests a number of steps loved ones can take to help ensure their family members aren’t financially taken advantage of.
- Stay in touch. Contact lines should be kept open with aging family members. Allow conversations about money to be normal, honest and free of judgment. Additional communication can also help the senior to be less lonely and less susceptible to emotionally manipulating scams.
- Talk about scams openly. The object is to inform the family member of what fraudulent tactics they could face, not induce anxiety in them.
- Help them put safeguards into place. Set up account alerts or require an additional signature from another family member for large withdrawals.
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Brett Surbey is a corporate paralegal with KMSC Law LLP and freelance writer who has written for Yahoo Finance Canada, Success Magazine, Publishers Weekly, U.S. News & World Report, Forbes Advisor and multiple academic journals. He and his family live in northern Alberta, Canada.
