Mississauga senior nearly lost $34,000 to door-to-door roofing scam, family intervened
A Mississauga woman paid $7,000 in cash to a man claiming to be a roofer before her family intervened and stopped a further $27,000 demand. Peel police say a complaint has been filed.
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By Torontoer Staff
A Mississauga senior says she was nearly defrauded of $34,000 after a man claiming to be a roofer knocked at her door and pressured her into paying $7,000 in cash. The man then climbed onto the roof and demanded an additional $27,000, telling her the structure was rotten, the family says.
The woman, Leslie Bentley, told CTV News she made the initial cash payment and began to hand over more before contacting her children. They raised doubts, inspected the roof and found no structural rot. The family has filed a complaint with Peel Regional Police.
What happened at the door
Bentley said a man representing a company called 24 Hrs Roofing and Masonry knocked on her door just before the New Year and told her the roof needed replacement. She said she knew the shingles were ageing and agreed when he offered to replace them. He asked for $7,000 in cash, so she went to the bank and paid.
After climbing onto the roof, the man told her the trusses and wood were rotten and demanded another $27,000 to complete the work. Bentley said she began to cry and felt overwhelmed. She contacted her daughter, Tracy, who told her not to pay any more money while the family checked the roof.
He said the roof was rotten, the trusses were rotten, and the whole thing needed to be replaced. I think I started to cry, I was really upset.
Leslie Bentley
How the family stopped the payment
Tracy Bentley and a brother went up on the roof to inspect. They found the decking and trusses in good condition, with only shingles needing replacement. When the family started asking questions, the people left quickly and drove away in a van, the Bentleys said.
Do not give them anymore money. I'm not sure these guys are legit.
Tracy Bentley
Security video supplied to CTV News shows the man who received the cash. CTV reporters say calls and emails to the company listed on the vehicle went unanswered or were disconnected. Bentley later hired a reputable contractor to re-shingle the roof.
Red flags to watch for
- Unsolicited, door-to-door offers to inspect or repair a roof
- High-pressure demands for large amounts of cash up front
- Claims of urgent, extensive damage without documentation or photos
- Refusal to show identification, licence, insurance or a written estimate
- Requests to leave immediately after collecting payment
Practical steps homeowners can take
- Get at least two or three written estimates from licensed contractors
- Ask to see proof of insurance and business credentials, and check them
- Never pay large sums in cash; use traceable payment methods
- Ask for a written contract that outlines work, materials and timelines
- Check online reviews, the Better Business Bureau, and local licensing records
- Contact a trusted family member or friend before making any major payment
Where to report scams
- Peel Regional Police, where the Bentley family filed a complaint
- Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, which tracks and investigates fraud across Canada
- Better Business Bureau and online review platforms to warn others
- Ontario consumer protection agencies for guidance on contractors and contracts
Bentley said she regrets handing over the $7,000 but is relieved she did not pay the additional $27,000. She credits her children for intervening and preventing a larger loss. The family is pursuing the matter with police and urging other homeowners to be cautious with unsolicited contractors.
scamconsumer-protectionMississaugaseniorsroofing
