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A housing company is warning Albertans to be careful not to fall victim to a scam.
According to Building Industry and Land Development Association Alberta (BILD Alberta) – a non-profit organization representing homebuilders – several residents in the Edmonton and Calgary areas have received fake letters impersonating the association, seeking to gain access to people’s homes for inspection.
“This was broader than just one person receiving a letter,” CEO Scott Fash told Global News.
“It was a little more widespread, which was even more concerning.”
The letter alleges that a dangerous type of insulation known as urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) may have been used in their properties.
What is UFFI?
According to Health Canada, UFFI was widely used in the 1970s to insulate and modernize industrial, commercial and older residential buildings.
It is a low-density foam that has the appearance and consistency of shaving foam, and becomes stiff and self-supporting as it dries or cures (hardens).
The isolation has been banned in Canada since 1980because it turned out that formaldehyde gas was released during the curing process and afterwards, for example when it gets wet. Formaldehyde can cause cancer.
The fake letter calls on residents who have received it to immediately call the number displayed.
“Please note that failure to comply with this mandatory inspection may result in legal action and may affect your ability to sell or insure your home,” the letter said.
“This inspection is not only a legal requirement, but also a crucial step in protecting your health.”
Fear-mongering warning letter
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The fraudulent letter contains logos of the BILD Alberta Association and the Government of Alberta. Last month, BILD Alberta posted a consumer fraud notice on their website.
“It has come to our attention that fraudulent letters are in circulation, falsely claiming to be from the Government of Alberta and the BILD Alberta Association,” the statement said.
“Please note that neither the BILD Alberta Association nor the Government of Alberta has provided any such notice.”
Fash says sending letters to homeowners is not a task they perform, nor do they, as an organization, conduct home inspections.
“That’s completely absurd, and again, that’s a very easy way for someone not to understand that, and most people wouldn’t do that,” Fash said.
“Preying on someone’s home is a very easy way to take advantage of someone’s home. If someone receives such a letter, he or she will obviously be very concerned.”
The Alberta government has also posted a consumer alert, explaining that the letter is not endorsed by them.
Real estate agents warned of a scam letter
The information has since been forwarded to several real estate agents in the province.
Clear Trust Mortgages employee Zachary Yuzyk said homeowners should be skeptical if they receive a message that pressures them to “act quickly” or threatens legal action.
‘It’s not the homeowner’s fault, is it? That would be something you didn’t know about. That would be a material defect that you were not aware of when you moved into the property,” Yuzyk explained.
Following an increase in scams on various communication platforms, Yuzyk wants to remind residents to pause and think before they act.
“Everyone knows about telephone fraud, everyone knows about e-mail fraud, and now it’s back to physical mail. I just feel like people think an official document has more authority,” Yuzyk explains.
“That’s just not the case. It doesn’t matter how it happens; you should always be skeptical.”
Residents who have received this message are asked not to take any action based on the instructions in the letter and to contact the municipality Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
BILD Alberta says if homeowners have already contacted the sender, they should report it to their local police.
© 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
Kabi Moulitharan
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