Police warn about Gypsy/Irish Pavers.

Yearly Movement of “Travelers” to Canada to Conduct Home Improvement Scams

Also referred to as Gypsy/Irish Pavers.

Known in enforcement circles as “Travelers” , they are a distinct group of nomadic individuals historically of Irish, Scottish and English descent that arrive in Canada (from the USA, the United Kingdom and Ireland) and are operating as unlicensed, itinerant contractors.  They  usually reside in campgrounds or  trailers parks just outside major urban centers working the rural peripheries of the larger centers and small rural communities. They tend to visit southern Alberta in the spring each year.  The groups run scams involving paving, painting, roofing, rain gutters, chimney repair or any other home renovations. 

A typical sales pitch is that they are working in the neighborhood and can offer a reduced rate on a particular job.  Their work may be of poor quality and the consumer ends up paying considerably more to fix the shoddy outcome. Targets of these groups are often seniors who succumb to high pressure sales tactics .  The Travelers hound their victims until they have received as much money as the scam artist feels he/she can get out of their victim.  

Education, prevention and consumer awareness are the best ways to deal with unscrupulous contractors.  Investigations after the fact may not have successful outcomes: these individuals typically stay in a community for only a short time, making it difficult for police to identify, locate and when possible obtain evidence and charge them.  It is important for homeowners to know their rights and the protections that exist so that they can be confident in the people they hire.  Service Alberta has an eight page Home Renovations Tipsheet that helps homeowners determine a qualified and competent contractor   (www.servicealberta.gov.ab.ca/pdf/tipsheets/Home_Renovations.pdf)

Possible warning signs:

- knock on your door offering a special price because they just happen to be doing work in the area.
- promise a discount if you allow them to use your home to advertise their work.  The same offer is likely made to everyone.
- quote a price without seeing the actual job
- demand a large down payment for materials
- conduct a free inspection of your home and then suggest major repairs
- unmarked truck or van with out of province licence plates
- no business identification
- local address or phone number
- no local references
 
North West Region Immigration and Passport Section (NWRIPS) is working closely with Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)  to deal with these suspects.  Suspects can be checked to see if they are in Canada legally and, if a foreign national, determine what their status is in regards to working here in Canada.  Should you hear of any types of these occurrences please contact the Immigration and Passport section as we are attempting to monitor and assist various detachments . 

North West Region Immigration and Passport Section
7575 8th Street NE
Calgary, Alberta
403-699-2680
On call cell: 403-701-2007

Cst. Bruce STANGL                                               Cst. David  GRAHAM
NWRIPS                                                              NWRIPS
403-699-2692                                                      403-699-2482
  

20/20 reveals...Royal rip-off vacations

This is Part 3 of 3 scams that 20/20 investigated...

You know what I think is completely criminal? Businesses that tout the wonders of a product or service, all the while blatantly lying about said product or service's true agenda, or the benefits, or the research done. 20/20 aired a show that revealed some of the scams that people are getting sucked into. They investigated a Royal holiday club that promises luxurious vacations and the best of accommodations.

Holiday Investment Plans - Heaven or Hell?

I saved this one for last. Mainly because my husband and I almost became a member of the Holiday to Hell club...or at least, that's what I'm calling it. When 20/20 investigated the Royal Holiday Vacation Club, I couldn't help but cringe. Good grief, they were talking about exactly what happened and then almost happened to us when we traveled to Mexico at the end of February.

If going to Mexico, there is something vital you need to know. There are salespeople lined up in the Mexico airports and they're just waiting to scam you out of thousands of dollars.

If you stop, this is what will happen...

A very nice young man or woman, dressed professionally and wearing a name tag, will ask you if you need help or want information on your detination. They'll proceed to show you maps, tell you the best places to go to, offer you some discounts if you book with them, and then offer you a free ride to your hotel--in a luxury car, not the hotel bus that stops everywhere else. Eventually, he'll tell you that you're staying at a great hotel and that he'd like to show you the hotel he's promoting, just so you have something to compare to and something to consider. If you ask if these are time shares, he'll say no. Well, technically, I guess you could say he thinks he's not lying. He wants to sell you a vacation club plan. He won't tell you that in the airport.

This is what will happen if you agree to receive all the discounted tours and promos he'll offer. He'll tell you that he'll arrange to pick you up at your hotel, take you to the one he's working for and while having the best buffet breakfast or lunch, you'll be shown around the hotel for about 90 minutes.

This is what 20/20 discovered and what my husband and I heard after we got to our hotel on day one. If you're suckered in, you'll spend the better part of a DAY at this "90 minute presentation". You will be handed from one consultant to the next as they try to convince you that the club is worth it. They'll promise you all sorts of things, like they'll even invest your $30,000 payment into some offshore account in a foreign country and you'll get it all back in 30 years. They will hound you, make you feel guilty, do anything they can to break you. On most occasions, travelers leave feeling exhausted and $11,000 or more poorer. 20/20 also uncovered that what you see is not what you necessarily get. One couple was shown a luxurious suite and were promised that their accomodations would be just as good or better. They went on a trip and were given a standard room.

Marc and I got caught at the airport, but after hearing about this scam at the hotel, we never showed up at the end of the driveway the next morning for our wonderful free breakfast and lovely tour of a new hotel. We hung our heads in embarrassment and learned a valuable lesson.

Bottom line? When in Mexico, get off the plane and run like hell through the airport, do NOT stop for anyone, do NOT get suckered in by someone appearing to want to "help" you, do NOT talk to anyone, do NOT pass go, do NOT...by now you should get the picture. You have no idea how hard this is for me to do the same. I love talking to people. But I also love keeping my money and having a relaxing vacation in a heavenly place, not a free ticket to Holiday Hell.

20/20 link:

• Royal Holiday or Royal Headache?

~Cheryl Kaye Tardif,
Canadian suspense author