Toronto Real Estate Report

Beware - Toronto Hydro Alert

Identityy theft and fraud are lucrative industries these days.  Why work for a living when you can steal from the rich, or not so rich, and take advantage of innocent victims.  My understanding is that identity theft is BIG business used to fund terrorist activities and isn't just the guy next door loafing around on his couch stealing credit card information to fund his "active" lifestyle.

I received a letter from Toronto Hydro Corporation recently alerting me to the fact that there has been "Unauthorized Access of Customer Information".  A third party, not associated with Toronto Hydro has come into the possession of the name, address, account number and the amount of the last bill of some customers.

They suspect that someone may use this information to contact their customers, pretend they are verifying some information and request further financial or other information.  They set the bait by knowing some information about your account details, lull you into believing they are legitimate and then go in for the "catch", further personal information that will help them to steal your identity or money or both!

NEVER give out any information over the phone and if you get a suspicious call report it to the proper authorities.

RetroFoam Advisory

Health Canada was recently advised that RetroFoam has been installed in a limited number of homes in Ontario.  This product is prohibited for sale in Canada.

The reason for this is that it is a urea formaldehyde (UFFI) based thermal insulation which has been prohibited for sale in Canada since December 1980 under the Hazardous Products Act as it may release formaldehyde gas into outdoor air.

The company that is installing this type of insulation was "RetroFoam of Canada Inc." and Health Canada issued a "cease and desist" letter to stop all sale, advertisement and further installations of the product.  This product is no longer available for sale in Canada.

A home insulated with UFFI is stigmatized and can greatly reduce the value.  There is a $500 million dollar class action suit in the works to compensate the 700+ homeowners that are affected.  They were recommended to use this product by licensed inspectors who provided energy audits for the Eco-Energy Retrofit program. For details on the legal action check out the on-line article on Canadian Business

For more information on the Health Canada Advisory you can call 1-800-443-0395 or go to the website at www.healthcanada.gc.ca

Beware of Scam Movers!

I called to check in on my clients that had recently moved into their first home.  A 2 bedroom condo in a beautiful building in the Bayview/Sheppard area.  I wanted to make sure they had settled in and to find out if they needed any help with locating information or needed any resources and to schedule my "housewarming" visit.  My service doesn't end with a closed transaction.

I was horrified to learn that they had been duped by an Internet scam.  When they set out to book movers they remembered the name Atlas as a long established, reputable moving company.  Little did they know, but they had actually been tricked into hiring "Atlass" with 2 s"s at the end.  When you Google Atlas, they show up on the first page, put you don't pick up on the slight name change on the website: Welcome to Atlass moving & Storage Website Atlass

They were quoted 4 hours for the move at $85/hour and then a variable fuel charge would be applied.  They took out $500 to cover the move and provide a tip to the driver.  They had moved almost all their own things, and only needed the movers for about 5 large furniture pieces.

When the driver showed up he presented a contract that he insisted be signed before they started the move, which had all sorts of strange additional charges on it.  What could they do, it was moving day, so they signed it.   They took their time loading the furniture and when they arrived at the condo, demanded $1000 payment or they wouldn't take their things off the truck!  It was double what they had put aside for the move, and the driver presented them with a blank Visa form to sign!!  My client filled in the $1000 amount, signed it and they moved the furniture in.

As it turns out there are websites dedicated to warning people about this moving company.  A few are:Atlass Moving Sucks and Bad Toronto Movers

Tell everyone you know to avoid this moving company like the plague.  Unethical, unscrupulous and despicable!