A Warning From Frank Gillis, Right Choice Roofing and Repair — Toronto’s Trusted Roofer Since 2007
Toronto Roofing scams are becoming more and more prevalent — and it’s targeting homeowners just like you.
The Better Business Bureau issued a fresh warning on April 29, 2026. Toronto Police issued a formal fraud alert on April 14, 2026. And just last week, on April 22, 2026, a man was arrested and charged with defrauding seniors out of thousands of dollars — posing as a legitimate roofer and even as a City of Toronto worker.
These are not old stories. This is happening now. And the more people know about it, the harder these scammers are to pull off.
I’ve been roofing in Toronto since 2007. I want to help you protect yourself.
The Storm Chaser Warning — Issued Yesterday
The Better Business Bureau put out a fresh warning on April 29, 2026 — the day before this post was written. Every spring, right after storms roll through, a specific type of scammer appears. They’re called storm chasers. — and they’re out in force right now.
A storm chaser is a contractor — sometimes from out of province — who follows severe weather events. Knocking on doors within hours of a storm, they claim to have noticed damage on your roof or chimney while working nearby. Cash only. A decision today. And they want to start as soon as possible. And they want to start as soon as possible.
Pamela Hernandez of the Better Business Bureau put it plainly: a trusted roofer with a good reputation is going to be busy after a storm. You may need to be patient. That patience gives you time to call your insurance company, document the damage yourself, and do your research before committing to anyone.
Read the BBB’s April 29, 2026 warning here:
https://www.ky3.com/2026/04/29/your-side-better-business-bureau-warns-roofing-scammers-after-this-weeks-storms/
What’s Happening Right Now in Toronto
Toronto has been dealing with an active, coordinated roofing fraud operation. On April 14, 2026, Toronto Police Financial Crimes Unit issued a public warning about suspects going door to door — identifying alleged deficiencies with roofs, chimneys, and exterior structures. Once they get hired, the price keeps climbing because of so called additional damage that requires more work.
Then it gets worse. In some cases, when a victim refuses to pay more, a man shows up at their door claiming to be an Interpol investigator. He has a lanyard and what looks like official identification. He tells the homeowner that the contracting company is under investigation — and that they need to make additional payments to resolve the situation.
That is not Interpol. Toronto Police were clear: no legitimate law enforcement agency, including Interpol, will ever attend your home to demand payment. If someone shows up claiming that — call 911.
Read the CP24 coverage of the Toronto Police warning here:
https://www.cp24.com/local/toronto/2026/04/14/toronto-police-identify-elaborate-roofing-scam-allegedly-involving-fake-interpol-officer/
Real Toronto Victims. Real Losses.
An Etobicoke woman — reported by CP24 and CTV News in March 2026 — answered her door when two men offered to clear her eavestroughs for $50 cash. They spent less than ten minutes on her roof. They came down and told her there was a hole in the roof, rats getting in, and damage that needed to be fixed that same day.
She was having the worst week of her life — a family member was sick, her dog had just died and not thinking clearly. She paid $47,460 upfront. A second roofer later confirmed that corners had been cut, nails were missing, insulation was missing, and shingles were cracked. Much of the work had to be redone.
Read the full CTV/CP24 story here:
https://www.cp24.com/local/toronto/2026/03/05/taken-for-a-ride-ontario-woman-regrets-paying-nearly-50000-for-rushed-roofing-job/
Then on April 22, 2026, Toronto Police arrested a 23-year-old Brampton man — Arashdeep Singh — after two seniors were defrauded. The suspects posed as legitimate contractors and as City of Toronto workers. Victims paid for roof repairs and emergency home repairs that were never needed and never properly completed. Singh faces charges including three counts of fraud over $5,000, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence. Police believe there are more victims who have not yet come forward.
Read the CP24 arrest story here:
https://www.cp24.com/local/toronto/2026/04/23/2-seniors-defrauded-in-roof-home-repair-scam-brampton-man-charged/
Your Legal Rights as an Ontario Homeowner
Most people don’t know this — but Ontario law actually gives you strong protection when a contractor approaches you at your door. Here’s what you need to know.
You have a 10-day cooling-off period. Under Ontario’s Consumer Protection Act, if a contractor approaches you at home and you sign a contract, you have 10 days to cancel it — for any reason — without penalty. You don’t need to explain yourself. Send your cancellation in writing by email or registered mail so you have a record. The company then has 15 days to return your money in full.
The price cannot jump more than 10% above the written estimate. If a contractor gives you a written quote and then tries to charge you more than 10% above that number without your agreement — that’s a violation of the Consumer Protection Act. You have the right to demand the price be adjusted back.
If no written contract was provided — you may have up to one year to cancel. The law requires contractors to give you a written contract that includes the full scope of work, payment terms, and your rights. If they didn’t — you can cancel within one year of signing.
Verbal promises are binding. Under the Consumer Protection Act, any statement a salesperson makes while selling you their services is legally binding — even if it isn’t in the written contract.
Read your rights directly from the Ontario government here:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/your-rights-under-consumer-protection-act
And read CLEO’s plain-language guide to door-to-door sales contracts here:
https://www.cleo.on.ca/en/publications/doorsales/all
What to Do If You’ve Already Been Scammed
If you’ve already paid a contractor who did poor work, disappeared, or pressured you into payments — here are your options.
Step 1 — Report it. Call Toronto Police non-emergency at 416-808-2222. Also report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501. Your report helps investigators identify patterns and stop these people from hitting more victims.
Step 2 — File a complaint with Consumer Protection Ontario. Call 1-800-889-9768 or visit ontario.ca. They can investigate and take action against the contractor on your behalf.
Step 3 — Consider Small Claims Court. In Ontario, you can sue for up to $35,000 in Small Claims Court without needing a lawyer. It’s designed for regular people to navigate on their own. If you’re owed money for work that was never done, done incorrectly, or charged at inflated prices — this is a real option.
Step 4 — Get free legal help. You don’t have to figure this out alone and you don’t have to pay a lawyer to get started. Here are three free resources:
Pro Bono Ontario — Free Legal Advice Hotline: 1-855-255-7256, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Up to 30 minutes of free legal advice, including help with Small Claims Court.
https://www.probonoontario.org/lawsuits-and-disputes/
Steps to Justice — Free plain-language guide to Small Claims Court, including guided help completing your court forms:
https://stepstojustice.ca/steps/tribunals-and-courts/2-get-help-duty-counsel-0/
Law Society Referral Service — 1-800-268-8326. They will connect you with a lawyer or paralegal in your area for a free 30-minute consultation.
How to Protect Yourself Going Forward
Here’s the short version. Put this on your fridge if you have to.
Never hire a contractor who showed up at your door uninvited. Legitimate roofing companies don’t do this. If they approached you — that’s your first red flag.
Always call your insurance company before calling a roofer. After a storm, your first call should be to your insurer. Understand what your coverage looks like before anyone tells you what you need.
Get at least two or three written quotes. From contractors you found independently — not ones who found you.
Verify credentials before anyone gets on your roof. Ask for their WSIB registration number. Ask for their city license number. Check Google reviews. Look them up on the BBB website at bbb.org. A real contractor will hand all of that over without hesitation.
Never pay the full amount upfront. A reasonable deposit to hold your spot is normal. Full payment before the job is done is not.
Cash only means no record. Pay by credit card or e-transfer whenever possible. Cash leaves you with no proof if something goes wrong.
As the BBB put it — urgency creates bad decisions. Scammers manufacture panic on purpose. Slow down. A few days of research could save you tens of thousands of dollars.
A Note From Frank
I started Right Choice Roofing and Repair in 2007. Every job I sell, I do myself — no subcontractors, no crews I don’t know. When I show up at your house, I’m the one going up on your roof. I carry WSIB registration #309-1432 and Metro License #B2-1086. I’m BBB accredited. I have over 80 Google reviews at 4.9 stars. You can verify every one of those things independently before you call me.
That’s the standard you should hold every roofer to.
If someone knocked on your door and you’re not sure whether what they told you was legitimate — give me a call. I’ll tell you what I honestly think. No pressure, no pitch. Just a straight answer from someone who’s been doing this a long time.
Frank Gillis — Right Choice Roofing and Repair
416-651-8111 | rightchoiceroofing.ca
WSIB #309-1432 | Metro License #B2-1086 | BBB Accredited
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: A contractor knocked on my door and I already signed a contract. Can I cancel it?
A: Yes. Under Ontario’s Consumer Protection Act, you have a 10-day cooling-off period to cancel any contract signed at your home — for any reason, no explanation needed. Send your cancellation in writing by email or registered mail and keep a copy. The company must refund your money within 15 days. If no written contract was provided, you may have up to one year to cancel.
Q: The contractor’s price jumped way above the original quote. Is that legal?
A: No. Under Ontario’s Consumer Protection Act, if you were given a written estimate, the final price cannot exceed that estimate by more than 10% without your written agreement. If a contractor tries to charge more than that, you can demand the price be adjusted. If they refuse, file a complaint with Consumer Protection Ontario at 1-800-889-9768.
Q: How do I verify that a Toronto roofer is legitimate before hiring them?
A: Ask for their WSIB registration number and verify it at wsib.ca. Ask for their city contractor license number. Check their Google reviews — look for volume and detail, not just star rating. Look them up at bbb.org. A real, established contractor will hand over all of this without hesitation. If they get evasive — that’s your answer.
Q: I was scammed and lost money. What are my options?
A: You have several. Report to Toronto Police (416-808-2222) and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (1-888-495-8501). File a complaint with Consumer Protection Ontario (1-800-889-9768). Consider Small Claims Court for amounts up to $35,000 — it’s designed for regular people and you don’t need a lawyer. Call Pro Bono Ontario’s free hotline at 1-855-255-7256 for up to 30 minutes of free legal advice.
Q: Is it normal for a roofer to ask for full payment upfront?
A: No. A reasonable deposit — typically 10 to 20% — to hold your spot in the schedule is standard. Full payment before the work is done gives you no leverage if something goes wrong. Never pay in full before the job is complete and you’ve had a chance to inspect the work.
Additional FAQS for every valued Homeowner in Toronto
Yes — and most Toronto homeowners don’t know this. Under Ontario’s Consumer Protection Act, you have a 10-day cooling-off period to cancel any contract signed at your home. No reason needed. Send your cancellation in writing by email or registered mail and keep a copy. The company must refund your money within 15 days. If the contractor never gave you a written contract, you may have up to one year to cancel.
Source: CLEO — Community Legal Education Ontario https://www.cleo.on.ca/en/publications/doorsales/all
Ask for their WSIB clearance number and verify it yourself at clearances.wsib.ca — just enter the number and the system tells you instantly if it’s valid. Ask for their city contractor license number. Check their Google reviews for volume and detail, not just a star rating. Look them up at bbb.org. A legitimate contractor hands all of this over without hesitation. If they get evasive — that’s your answer.
Source: WSIB — Clearance Certificate Lookup https://clearances.wsib.ca/Clearances/eclearance/start?lang=en
A deposit is normal — typically 10 to 20% to hold your spot on the schedule. Full payment before the work is done is not normal. Under Ontario’s Consumer Protection Act, a contractor cannot charge more than 10% above a written estimate without your agreement. Paying in full upfront leaves you with no leverage if the work is poor or never finished. Never hand over the full amount until the job is done and you’ve inspected it yourself.
Source: LegalLine — Direct Sales Contracts & Door-to-Door Sales https://www.legalline.ca/legal-answers/direct-sales-contracts/
