Active consumer alerts

Region: Online
Alert type: Online lending and personal information

The Consumer Investigations Unit with Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction is warning Albertans to be careful when borrowing online.

Online payday or high-cost loan websites may ask for personal or banking information that will put the borrower at risk of identity theft or fraud.

One example is the use of fake or untrustworthy instant bank verification (IBV) links. Online loan providers, both legitimate and illegitimate, utilize IBV to verify the income of the consumers applying for online loans.

With these links, consumers are directed to complete a link on the loan provider’s website; during this process the consumer is required to log into their bank account, at which point the loan providers may be able to obtain their banking information and login credentials.

In many cases, these unlicensed or fake loan websites deny consumers the loan after they have completed the process. As the websites now have the consumers personal or banking information details, there is the possibility that they may sell this information to scammers, or even sign them up for services without their consent.

Consumers are strongly encouraged to take steps to protect themselves when accessing or providing their personal or banking login information online. Prior to applying for an online loan, consumers should research the loan provider. They can also protect themselves by checking the company’s record with Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction and the Better Business Bureau.

Businesses providing high cost of credit or payday loans in Alberta are required to be licensed with the province. If you suspect an online scam loan provider, report it at 1-877-427-4088 (toll-free).

Printable version: Consumer Protection Alert - Online lending and personal information

Related tips:

• Business Licence Search
• Identify Theft
• High-cost of Credit 
• Payday Lending 

Region: Edmonton area
Alert type: Unlicensed prepaid contractor
Name: Pedro Brito
Alternate name: Pedro Da Silva, Alex Santos
Affiliated businesses:

• Pegasus Group Ltd.
• De-lux Commercial Services Ltd.
• Pro-Reno Contracting
• 2326921 Alberta Corp d/b/a Deseo Designs

The Consumer Investigations Unit is warning Albertans in the Edmonton area about an unlicensed prepaid contracting business called Pegasus Group Ltd., operated by Pedro Brito. He is known to use the name Pedro Da Silva or Alex Santos and also conducts business under the names De-Lux Commercial Services Ltd., Pro-Reno Contracting, and 2326921 Alberta Corp, doing business as Deseo Designs.

Brito has been convicted of engaging in unfair practices and for operating as an unlicensed prepaid contracting business.

Brito is known to:

• Take deposits from consumers without having a prepaid contracting business licence.
• Provide contracts that do not align with consumer protection laws.
• Fail to provide refunds.
• Engage in unfair practices, which include taking actions and making statements that might reasonably deceive or mislead consumers.

Printable version: Consumer Protection Alert - Pedro Brito

Related tips:

• Consumer tips: Home Improvements: What you need to know

Region: Alberta-wide
Alert type: Unlicensed prepaid contractor
Name: Pitbull Construction Inc.

Directors: Ulysse Jr. Brideau; Elizabeth Jo-Anne Buit

Details

Service Alberta’s Consumer Investigations Unit is warning Albertans about a home improvement and renovation business, Pitbull Construction Inc., and its directors, Ulysse Jr. Brideau, and Elizabeth Jo-Anne Buit. Both Mr. Brideau and Ms. Buit, as well as their business, Pitbull Construction Inc., have been charged with multiple offences under Alberta’s consumer protection laws. Mr. Brideau and Ms. Buit are also facing criminal charges related to fraud and theft.

They are known to:

• take deposits from consumers without having a proper business licence
• take consumer deposits and not complete any work; or take deposits and complete little work
• request cash deposits
• provide renovation contracts that do not align with consumer protection laws
• fail to refund consumers when contracts are cancelled

Printable version: Consumer Protection Alert – Pitbull Construction

Related tips:

• Consumer tips: Home Improvements: What you need to know

Region: Alberta-wide
Alert type: Unlicensed prepaid contractor
Name: Michael Moya Martin

• 3-M's Renovation

Service Alberta’s Consumer Investigations Unit is warning Albertans about a home improvement and renovation contractor operating in Alberta, Michael Moya Martin.

Mr. Martin has been charged with multiple offences under Alberta’s consumer protection laws. He is also facing criminal charges related to fraud and theft. Mr. Martin has been previously convicted of operating as a prepaid contractor without a license, for not complying with contract requirements and for not refunding consumers when required.

Mr. Martin is known to:

• take deposits from consumers without having a proper business licence;
• take consumer deposits and not complete any work;
• take deposits and complete little work;
• request cash deposits;
• provide renovation contracts that do not align with consumer protection laws; and
• fail to refund consumers when contracts are cancelled.

Printable version: Consumer Protection Alert – Michael Moya Martin

Related tips:

• Consumer tips: Home Improvements: What you need to know

Region: Edmonton area
Alert type: Unlicensed prepaid contractor
Affiliated businesses:

• Watson Development Group Ltd.
• Evolution Developments Ltd.

The Consumer Investigations Unit is warning Albertans in the Edmonton area about an unlicensed prepaid contractor – Evolution Developments Ltd., operated by Timothy Watson. Known to operate under other names, Watson has been convicted for contravening Alberta’s consumer protection laws. He does not have a Prepaid Contracting Licence with Service Alberta.

A recent investigation by the Consumer Investigations Unit has resulted in a conviction against Watson under the Consumer Protection Act under Section 104(1) – “No person may engage in a designated business unless the person holds a licence under this Act that authorizes the person to engage in that business.”

Watson is known to:

• request deposits from consumers without having a Prepaid Contracting Business Licence
• provide renovation contracts that don’t align with consumer protection laws
• fail to provide refunds when contracts are cancelled
• fail to complete all work agreed in contracts with consumers
• engage in unfair practices, which include taking actions and making statements that might reasonably deceive or mislead consumers

Printable version: Consumer Protection Alert – Timothy Watson

Related tips:

• Consumer tips: Home Improvements: What you need to know

Region: Calgary area
Alert type: Unlicensed prepaid contractor
Affiliated businesses:

• Great Divide Developments Inc.
• Garage Builders 1
• Alberta Garage Construction
• Togo Contracting Inc.

The Consumer Investigations Unit is warning Albertans about a home improvement/renovation contractor, Kirk Berner, operating in the Calgary region.

Berner is affiliated with Great Divide Developments Inc., Garage Builders 1, Alberta Garage Construction, and Togo Contracting Inc. He has been charged with multiple offences under Alberta’s consumer protection laws and has also faced criminal charges related to fraud.

Berner is known to:

• Take deposits from consumers without having a proper business licence.
• Provide renovation contracts that do not align with consumer protection laws.
• Fail to refund consumers when contracts are cancelled.
• Mislead or deceive consumers.

Printable version: Consumer Protection Alert - Kirk Berner

Related tips:

• Consumer tips: Home Improvements: What you need to know

Region: Alberta-wide
Alert type: Asphalt paving fraud 
Associated business names: Multiple names reported to Service Alberta

The Consumer Investigations Unit is warning Albertans about unscrupulous asphalt paving companies currently travelling throughout Alberta that commonly target residential, commercial, and farming residents in small towns and rural communities.

These paving companies often approach consumers stating that they have leftover material from a recent paving project in the area, and will offer to pave a driveway or parking lot at a discounted price.

Albertans who agree to such offers are then instructed to stay off the freshly paved surface for a period of time (often days or weeks) to allow the surface to harden.

However, once the consumer begins to use the driveway or parking lot, it begins to crack, crumble, and disintegrate. The work provided fails to meet the minimum industry standards.

By the time the person or company realizes what has happened, the paving company has often moved on from the area and cannot be located or reached by the consumer. Victims of this scam are then left with the expense of removing the material and redoing the paving work.

Often, these paving companies will use business names, which could deceive their prospective victims into believing the company is a government road maintenance department, or is affiliated with one.

The companies often provide fictitious business or postal box addresses to the people they have targeted.

Printable version: Consumer Protection Alert - Asphalt Paving Fraud

Related tips:

• Consumer tips: Home Improvements: What you need to know
• Consumer tips: Dealing with door-to-door sales
• Consumer tips: Consumer Bill of Rights

Region: Calgary
Alert type: Unlicensed prepaid contractors
Names:

• Omar Ghandour
• Mohamad Ghandour

Associated business names:

• OG’s Renovations Ltd.
• Your Custom Renovations Ltd.
• 1st Choice Contracting Ltd.
• YYC Custom Renovations Ltd.

The Consumer Investigations Unit is warning Albertans about 2 home improvement/renovation contractors – siblings Omar Ghandour and Mohamad Ghandour – operating in the Calgary region.

Omar Ghandour is affiliated with OG’s Renovations Ltd., Your Custom Renovations Ltd. and 1st Choice Contracting Ltd. Both Omar Ghandour and Mohamad Ghandour are affiliated with YYC Custom Renovations Ltd.

Omar Ghandour and Mohamad Ghandour have been charged with multiple offences under Alberta’s consumer protection laws. Omar Ghandour is also facing criminal charges related to fraud and theft.

Both are known to:

• Take deposits from consumers without having a proper business licence.
• Provide renovation contracts that don’t align with consumer protection laws.
• Fail to refund consumers when contracts are cancelled.

Printable version: Consumer Protection Alert - Omar and Mohamad Ghandour

• Consumer tips: Home Improvements: What you need to know
• Prepaid contracting licence

Region: Alberta-wide
Alert type: Suspicious website
Associated business names:

• Book Alberta Drive Test
• Road Test Services Ltd.

The Consumer Investigations Unit is warning Albertans about a website representing itself as a driving test scheduler, operating throughout Alberta.

Book Alberta Road Test is a suspicious website that does not provide the driving test scheduling service it advertises. It is believed this website collects personal information, including driver’s licence information, full names, addresses and credit card information.

Albertans are reminded that personal, financial and banking information can be used in identity theft and fraud. Albertans should exercise caution, conduct research and verify the legitimacy of a website and the use of the personal information before disclosing any over the internet.

Ongoing investigation by the Consumer Investigations Unit suggests that this website:

• requests personal and financial information
• charges consumers for a service not rendered
• engages in unfair practices, which includes taking actions and making statements that may reasonably deceive or mislead consumer

Printable version: Consumer Protection Alert – bookalbertaroadtest.com

Related tips:

• Consumer tips: Internet shopping
• Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
• How to book a passenger vehicle road test

Region: Alberta-wide
Alert type: Unlicensed prepaid contractor
Associated individual: Jason Robert Schoenau

The Consumer Investigations Unit is warning Albertans about a paving contractor – Enviro Paving Corporation, and its Director, Jason Schoenau – operating throughout Alberta.

Enviro Paving Corporation has been convicted multiple times for contravening Alberta’s consumer protection laws. Enviro Paving Corporation’s Prepaid Contracting Business License is currently suspended and a Director’s Order pertaining to this business remains in effect.

The Consumer Investigations Unit has recently conducted new investigations that have resulted in pending charges against Enviro Paving Corporation and Jason Schoenau for multiple offences under Alberta’s Consumer Protection Act.

Enviro Paving Corporation and Jason Schoenau are known to:

• request deposits from consumers without having a Prepaid Contracting Business Licence
• provide contracts that don’t align with consumer protection laws
• fail to provide refunds
• engage in unfair practices, which include taking actions and making statements that might reasonably deceive or mislead consumers

Printable version: Consumer Protection Alert – Enviro Paving Corporation and Jason Robert Schoenau

Related tips:

• Consumer tips: Home Improvements: What you need to know
• Consumer tips: Consumer Bill of Rights

Region: Alberta-wide
Alert type: Licence suspension
Associated business names:

• Canadian Home Improvement Credit Corporation

The Consumer Investigations Unit is warning Albertans that Nulife Quality Care Ltd., which also operated as Alberta Home and Water Solutions Inc., is currently not permitted to engage in direct selling activities in Alberta. Its licence has been suspended until it comes into compliance with licensing and operational requirements of Alberta’s consumer protection laws.

Printable version: Consumer Protection Alert – Nulife Quality Care Ltd. | Alberta Home & Water Solutions Inc.

Related tips:

• Consumer tips: Dealing with door-to-door sales

Region: Alberta-wide
Alert type: Unlicensed direct seller
Affiliated business names:

• Nulife Quality care Ltd.
• Alberta Home & Water Solutions Inc.

The Consumer Investigations Unit is warning Albertans about an unlicensed business – Canadian Home Improvement Credit Corporation (CHICC) – whose representatives have been attending consumers’ homes and offering to test the quality of tap water.

Once inside consumers’ homes, the representatives solicited, negotiated and concluded rental agreements for the installation and long-term use of home water filtration systems. Financing of those contracts was provided by CHICC. Service Alberta has ordered the CHICC and to any employee, representative, or agent of CHICC to immediately cease engaging in direct selling activities until an appropriate business licence has been obtained.

Printable version: Consumer Protection Alert – Canadian Home Improvement Credit Corporation

Related tips:

• Consumer tips: Dealing with door-to-door sales

Region: Alberta-wide
Alert type: Unlicensed payday lender/High-cost loan lender
Affiliated business names:

• True Loan Inc. operating as True Payday Loan
• Group Buddy Inc.
• Groupe Buddy Inc.

These businesses operate a range of websites identified below:

• TruePaydayLoan.ca
• NationalPaydayLoan.ca
• CashBuddy500.com
• CashBuddy500.ca
• FastmoneyLoans.ca
• PaydayKing500.com
• SimpleLoans500.com
• creditmontreal500.com
• pretsohben.com
• rapidpaydayloans.net
• royalfinances.ca
• solutions500.com
• Speedypayloans.ca
• Speedypayloans.com
• Pretcash2000.com
• Magikloans.com
• Magikcash.com
• Gofivehundred.com
• Cashflow500.com
• Cash2gonow.com

Service Alberta is warning Albertans about unlicensed payday loan and high-cost loan lenders operating under the above names. These lenders are not licensed to engage in payday or high-cost lending in Alberta. Investigations into consumer complaints have determined these lenders have engaged in prohibited lending and collection practices under the Consumer Protection Act, Payday Loan Regulation, and High-Cost Credit Regulation.

Any person engaging in payday lending (loans of $1,500 or less with a term of 62 days or less) or high-cost lending (any credit at a rate of more than 32%) must be licensed under the Consumer Protection Act. You can search to determine if a lender is licensed.

Any Albertan who has entered into a loan with these lenders and has been the subject of unfair practices or abusive collections behaviour is encouraged to file a complaint with Service Alberta through the Service Alberta Consumer Contact Centre at 1-877-427-4088.

Printable version: Consumer Protection Alert – True Loan Inc. (operating as True Payday Loan)

Related tips:

• Consumer tips: Payday Lending
• Search to determine if a lender is licensed