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Mounties are warning homeowners in Charlotte County to beware of scams involving home renovations.
Police say they have received at least 15 complaints of people being defrauded when trying to contract work for projects since September.
According to investigators, the homeowners reported paying thousands of dollars upfront for work that was never finished, or in some cases even started.
Mounties say in one case, a homeowner lost more than $100,000.
“We have received a lot of reports from Grand Manan, as well as St. George and St. Stephen,” said RCMP Cpl. Jayson Hansen.
Police are also investigating reports of suppliers and other supporting businesses who were paid with cheques with insufficient funds, and said they are working to determine whether the incidents are related.
Hansen said they want homeowners to be on alert alert so they do not fall victim to this scam.
“Be skeptical and make sure you are dealing with a reputable company – especially if you are being asked to pay large sums of money up front,” he said.
Anyone who fell victim to a construction-related scam in Charlotte County in the past three to six months is asked to call the New Brunswick RCMP at non-emergency line at 1-888-506-7267.
If you were approached by a suspected scam but did not lose money, Hansen said you should call the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
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