Roof and chimney repair crews knocking on doors
A contractor says they were working nearby, spotted damage on your roof or chimney, and can fix it cheaply today. Then the real quote arrives.
How it works
Durham police issued a warning in August 2026 after a run of these across the region. The pitch is always unsolicited: someone at the door claims to be doing a job on your street and noticed loose flashing, a cracked chimney cap, or lifting shingles. They offer a quick, cheap repair on the spot. Once they are on the roof, police say, they cause damage that was not there before, then come down with a quote for thousands of dollars to fix it. A related July case in Clarington saw a homeowner pay 33,000 dollars for landscaping and repairs that were never done, by a man already under court conditions not to take payment before finishing work.
What to do
- Do not let anyone onto your roof who came to your door uninvited, no matter how convincing the damage sounds.
- If you are worried about the roof, get an independent inspection from a licensed roofer you found yourself, and get more than one quote.
- Never pay a large deposit or cash up front. Real companies give written quotes and time to think.
- If a crew has already done this to you, report it to Durham police at 905-579-1520.
Sources
If this has already happened to you, our scam recovery visit can lock down your accounts and devices. And if you are just not sure whether something is a scam, asking us is always free.