Calgary fire department warns of furnace scam

The Calgary Fire Department says scammers are posing as its members, calling residents and offering free furnace inspections.

The Calgary Fire Department is warning the public about a furnace scam that’s targeting homeowners.

Officials say they’ve received reports about an individual contacting residents and offering free furnace inspections while claiming to be a CFD member.

The scam is made even more convincing because the caller can “spoof” the caller ID display, making it appear legitimate.

However, the department says it’s a scam because this is not a service that it offers.

“If someone claims to be from the fire department and offers a free furnace inspection, it’s not us,” said Chief Steve Dongworth in a news release.

“We encourage residents to verify credentials and report any suspicious activity to the Calgary Police Service.”

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The CFD issued the warning on Wednesday, the same day carbon monoxide poisoning killed a Calgary woman and sent her 12-year-old daughter to hospital.

The incident may make residents more receptive to such an offer, CFD said, but they are encouraged to seek out their own services from certified professionals who work for reputable companies.

The CFD says anyone looking to have their furnace inspected or serviced should seek a company with reliable references or referrals and look for proper licencing, certifications, experience and expertise.

Calgary police urged residents to practice common sense and never share any personal information with anyone they don’t know.

Homeowners should also prevent any unknown individuals from entering their home and report any suspicious individuals to police, taking care to record a detailed description of the individuals as well as their vehicles and licence plates.

All suspicious activity can be reported to police by calling the CPS non-emergency line at 403-266-1234.