Toronto senior loses $27,000 to roofing scam
A Toronto senior says she can’t believe that two roofers took advantage of her, despite knowing she was recently widowed and suffering from a painful disability.
“They are just ruthless. They really are and they just don’t care,” said Patrice Stephens-Bourgeault.
Stephens-Bourgeault saw a story on CTV News Toronto last month about two roofers accused of charging another Scarborough resident, Sita Dubeau, $158,000 to repair her roof, yet they left after receiving the money and without doing the job.
“I knew it was them as soon as I saw the story. I paint portraits and can recognize faces and it was them,” Stephens-Bourgeault said, adding, “My heart sank to know they were out there doing this to other people."
It was in June when the two men were walking through her Scarborough neighbourhood, handing out flyers to do home renovations, Stephens-Bourgeault recalled.
She said both men approached her smiling and they appeared kind and friendly.
"They get your confidence first and make you feel like family, that they can help you. They are so smooth I think they could make more money as actors than defrauding seniors and the disabled,” she said.
Stephens-Bourgeault said when the men approached her, she was concerned about a leak that she may have in a small portion of her roof that was over her paint studio.
They quoted her $7,000 to do the job, but she said once they got on the roof they claimed it was in far worse shape and would require another $20,000 to repair.
“That's the same pattern they did with me taking off all the shingles and then saying they need more money. He wanted it in cash all up front,” she said.
Stephens-Bourgeault said she believes the roofers showed her fake pictures of her roof, something that Dubeau said also happened in her case.
CTV News Toronto reached out to Dubeau, who had given the roofers $158,000, and she said that Toronto police are continuing their investigation.
In both cases, the roofers used contracts that used the company name Homebuild Roofing and Masonry, which does not appear to be a legitimate business. The phone number on the contract is no longer in service.
It is now believed that two men were not using their real names and anyone with information is asked to contact police.
Stephens-Bourgeault said while the roofers did put shingles on the roof, she is not sure if any repairs were done. She also said a huge mess was left behind and she now has more leaks in that part of her home that she did before.
To make matters worse, Stephens-Bourgeault’s husband died seven months ago and she was recently diagnosed with stiff person syndrome, the same rare disorder Canadian singer Celine Dion has.
The $27,000 was going to help pay for her medical treatments.
"That money would have really helped with my treatments because the government doesn’t cover it,” Stephens-Bourgeault explained.
Always be cautious of contractors going door to door in your neighbourhood as you should always try to find a company yourself, get several quotes, check references and don't pay for work in advance.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police release bodycam video of officer-involved incident at Hindu temple protest in Brampton, Ont.
Police say an officer who forcefully removed a 'weapon' from a protester outside of a Hindu temple in Brampton was acting 'within the lawful execution of his duties' after bystander video of the incident circulated widely online.
RCMP begins deploying body-worn cameras to frontline officers across Canada
Within days, thousands of frontline RCMP officers will be starting their shifts equipped with a body-worn camera, as the national police force begins deploying the program across Canada.
'Countless lives were at risk:' 8 charged, including teen wanted in deadly home invasion, after West Queen West gun battle
A teenage boy arrested along with more than 20 others following a gun battle in Toronto’s West Queen West neighbourhood was wanted in connection with a deadly home invasion in Etobicoke back in April, Toronto police say.
Here's how a potential Canada Post strike may affect Canadians
A disruption in Canada Post services would hit some Canadians harder than others. As the deadline approaches for a potential strike at midnight Friday, CTVNews.ca asked readers how it would affect them and how they are preparing.
Scotiabank users facing 'intermittent' access to banking
Scotiabank users say they are having issues using their bank’s services following a scheduled maintenance period that ended days ago.
Everything is under US$20 at Amazon's newest store
Amazon is targeting retail rivals Shein, Temu and TikTok Shop with a new deeply discounted storefront that sells a wide array of products for US$20 or less.
W5 Investigates Car security investigation: How W5 'stole' a car using a device we ordered online
In part two of a three-part series into how thieves are able to drive off with modern vehicles so easily, CTV W5 correspondent Jon Woodward uses a device flagged by police to easily clone a car key.
Many long COVID patients adjust to slim recovery odds as world moves on
There are certain phrases that Wachuka Gichohi finds difficult to hear after enduring four years of living with long COVID, marked by debilitating fatigue, pain, panic attacks and other symptoms so severe she feared she would die overnight.
Marble bust bought for US$6 and used as doorstop could sell for more than US$3 million
A sculpture bought for just £5 (US$6) and used as a doorstop could sell for more than £2.5 million (US$3.2 million) after a Scottish court gave the green light for its sale.