With more people at home these days, police are warning of an escalating phone scam in which callers claim to be from the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) to try and scam you for your money.

The conmen makes a pitch that you can obtain a green rebate for purchasing COVID-19 relief.

The OPP have received more than 710 complaints about energy scams this year from across Ontario.

In most cases, a homeowner is contacted by telephone by someone requesting to conduct a green energy assessment in person.

This would be to qualify for a green energy rebate or Ontario Rebate Program for COVID-19 relief.

Once in the home, the representative uses high pressure sales tactics to have the homeowner purchase products and services in order to qualify for the rebate, police say.

The OEB says it doesn’t engage and isn’t involved in any type of sales activity.

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre in 2019 received 1,641 complaints related to service scams affecting 863 Ontario residents, for a loss of $2,878,898.

On March 1, 2018, Ontario banned unsolicited, door-to-door sales of certain household appliances to better protect consumers from aggressive and misleading contracting at home.

The new rules apply to air cleaners, air conditioners, air purifiers, duct cleaning services, furnaces, water filters, water heaters, water purifiers, water softeners, water treatment devices as well as bundles of these goods and services.

On January 1, 2017, Ontario banned energy retailers from signing up customers for an energy contract while at their homes to give consumers the ability to make choices about their energy supply at their own pace and with better information.

The OPP since October have received an increased number of complaints from homeowners who have been solicited by individuals claiming to be associated with the OEB.

Door‐to‐door scams continue to pose a threat to Ontario consumers and businesses. Consumers may find themselves in a situation where they purchase a product or sign up for a service contract they neither need nor want.

If you believe you have become a victim of fraud, contact your local police service and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 (toll-free) or report online at www.antifraudcentre.ca. You can also call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or report the incident online at www.ontariocrimestoppers.ca.