The City of St. Catharines Fire Services is urging residents to be cautious after reports of individuals misrepresenting themselves as members of the service to sell products or elicit donations.
The City has been made aware of two possible scams.
In the first, individuals going door to door stating they are from the fire department ask to inspect smoke alarms. Upon entry the individuals try to sell the homeowner smoke alarms and contractual alarm inspection services. St. Catharines Fire Services will never attempt to offer contractual services. In instances of an alarm not being present in a home Fire Services will offer the owner alarm at a cost to ensure the home is protected; however, payment is never accepted on site, with homeowners instead directed to make payment at the City’s Fire Prevention office.
Fire Services members going door to door will always be in uniform and be able to provide their City of St. Catharines corporate photo identification.
The other possible fraudulent activity involves reports of phone calls from a person claiming to be from St. Catharines Fire seeking donations. St. Catharines Fire Services never requests or accepts donations via phone call.
Residents believing fraudulent or illegal activity is taking place should call police to report the activity.